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Gianni Rivera
MEP
Personal information
Full name Giovanni Rivera
Date of birth (1943-08-18) 18 August 1943 (age 81)
Place of birth Alessandria, Italy
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1959–1960 Alessandria 26 (6)
1960–1979 Milan 501 (160)
Total 527 (166)
International career
1962–1975 Italy[1] 63 (15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals
Giovanni Rivera
Member of European Parliament from Italy
In office
25 May 2005 – 13 July 2009
ConstituencyPiedmont II
Member of the Chamber of Deputies
In office
2 July 1987 – 29 May 2001
Personal details
Political partyDemocratic Centre (since 2013)
The Daisy (2002–2007)
The Democrats (1999–2002)
Segni Pact (1994–1996)
Christian Democracy
(before 1994)

Giovanni "Gianni" Rivera (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒanni riˈvɛːra]; born 18 August 1943, in Alessandria) is an Italian former football midfielder, who was mostly utilised as an offensive playmaker.

Dubbed Italy's "Golden Boy" by the media, he played the majority of his career with Serie A side A.C. Milan, after beginning his career with Alessandria for a season in 1959. With Milan, he enjoyed a highly successful career in domestic and European football. Internationally, he represented Italy 63 times, scoring 15 goals, and took part at four World Cups (1962, 1966, 1970, and 1974). Rivera is widely remembered for scoring the decisive goal in Italy's extra-time win over West Germany in the semi-final of the 1970 World Cup, leading them to final against Brazil, where they would be defeated 4–1, however. Rivera was also a member of the first Italian side to win the European Football Championship in 1968, on home soil, and represented Italy at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, helping the team to a fourth-place finish.

Rivera was an elegant, efficient, and creative offensive midfield playmaker, with an eye for goal, who possessed excellent technical ability, footballing intelligence, vision, and class.[2] He is widely considered to be one of the most talented offensive playmakers of all time, due to his passing accuracy and his adeptness at providing assists.[3][4] Regarded as one of the greatest Italian footballers of all time,[5] and by some as Italy's greatest player ever,[6][7] he was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 1969, and placed 19th in IFFHS's election for the World Player of the 20th Century.[8] In 2015 he became the first Italian footballer out of 100 athletes to be inducted into Italy's sports Walk of Fame.[9] In 2004, Pelè chose Rivera as part of the FIFA 100 greatest living footballers,[10] and he placed 35th in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll.[11]

After retiring from football, Rivera went into politics and he is currently a Member of the European Parliament for the Uniti nell'Ulivo party. He has been appointed as the President of the educational youth sector by the FIGC for the Italy national football team, along with Roberto Baggio and Arrigo Sacchi under head coach Cesare Prandelli.[12]

Early life

Rivera was born in Alessandria, Piedmont, to Edera and Teresio; his father was a railway worker. Gianni began playing football with local side ASD Don Bosco, where he was scouted by former Milan midfielder Franco Pedroni, who was the assistant coach at Alessandria at the time, prompting Rivera to joined the local Serie A side.[3][13][14][15]

Club career

Debut with Alessandria and early years with Milan

"He's an elegant young player with a remarkable touch."

— Giuseppe Meazza comments on Rivera after watching him play with Milan for the first time.[13]

Nicknamed l'Abatino, and the Golden Boy of Italian football,[13][14][16] Rivera was the product of his hometown club's youth football academy; he joined the first team in 1958 and made his debut in Serie A for the Alessandria senior side against Internazionale on 2 June 1959 at the age of only fifteen years, nine months and fifteen days, scoring the equalising goal in the 1–1 draw; he is the second youngest player in history to debut in Serie A, behind only Amedeo Amadei.[3][13][15] A year later, he was bought by A.C. Milan as an eventual replacement for the club's captain Juan Schiaffino in the playmaking role, with a record transfer fee of $200,000 at the time; although the club's officials were concerned about Rivera's diminutive physique during his trial, Schiaffino insisted that the talented youngster be offered a contract, and later served as a mentor to the young attacking midfielder.[3][13][15] Rivera spent his first season at the club back on a year loan with Alessandria; during the season, he scored a goal in a 1–1 draw with Milan on 7 February 1960, and played 26 matches in total, in which he scored 6 goals.[13][15]

Rivera made his Milan debut in a 5–1 win over Bologna in the league on 9 October 1960; during his first season with Milan, he played alongside legendary Milan players such as Cesare Maldini, Giovanni Trapattoni, Dino Sani, Fabio Cudicini, and José Altafini, among others, under manager Nereo Rocco, immediately breaking into the starting line-up, and being handed the number 10 shirt.[3][13][14][15][17] Throughout his career, Rivera formed an important relationship with the legendary manager and catenaccio mastermind. In 1962, Rivera won his first scudetto with Milan during his second season at the club, and on 13 May 1962, aged just eighteen, he played his first match for the Italian national team at the World Cup in Chile.[13][18] With Milan, Rivera became known for his ability to orchestrate the team's attacking moves, and his leadership, and he served as the club's captain for 12 of his 19 seasons with Milan.[3][13][14][15][16]

International successes

Rivera's 1962 scudetto victory with Milan under Nereo Rocco,[17] enabled the team to qualify for the European Cup in 1962, a European Cup which the team finally won for the first time, beating Benfica 2–1 in the 1963 final. Rivera was in great form during the match, providing two notable assists for José Altafini's goals, and he was awarded second place in the famous Ballon d'Or award that year, which was won by the Russian goalkeeper Lev Yashin.[2][3][15] Rivera helped Milan win the Coppa Italia during the 1966–67 season, finishing the competition as top-scorer, with 7 goals.[2][13][15]

Rivera lifting the Cup Winners' Cup in 1968.

In the 1967–68 season, Rivera won both the league title and the Cup Winners' Cup final with Milan; he also played for Italy as they won the 1968 European Championship on home soil.[2][15][18] Despite his performances and success throughout the season, Rivera missed out on the Ballon d'Or however, which was awarded to European Cup winner George Best, with Rivera finishing in 7th place in the final rankings.[2] Next season, Rivera and Milan emerged victorious in the European Cup, winning the final over Johann Cruyff's Ajax, a match which is regarded as one of Rivera's greatest, most dominant, and most virtuosic performances, as he captained Milan to a 4–1 victory in the number 10 role at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, setting up two of Prati's three goals.[2][3][15] In addition to the European Cup that season, Rivera also won the Intercontinental Cup against Estudiantes, scoring a goal in the second leg; these successes finally earned him the Ballon d'Or in 1969, making him the first Italian-born player, and the second Italian player after Omar Sívori, to win the award.[2][3][13][14][15]

Later years

In the 70s, Rivera led Milan on to two more Cup Winners' Cup finals, one in 1973 and another in 1974; Rivera managed to win the 1973 final with Milan,[18] but the following year, Milan suffered a defeat in the final.[2][15] Rivera also suffered a defeat in the 1974 European Supercup final with Milan. With the Rossoneri, during the 70s, he also won two consecutive Coppa Italia titles, in 1972, and 1973, a season during which he was top-scorer in Serie A, with 17 goals, and with a personal best of 20 goals in all club competitions.[2][15] In the 1970–71, 1971–72 and the 1972–73 seasons, Milan managed three consecutive second places in Serie A, also reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup during the 1971–72 season.[2] Milan also reached the Coppa Italia final during the 1974–75 season, and won another Italian Cup in the 1976–77 season, although Rivera was missing in most of these Cup matches, as he was banned because of his statements against Italian referees, suggesting that they favoured Milan rivals Inter.[2][15] One of Rivera's most prominent performance in the Coppa Italia during the 70s was in the 1970–71 edition, where Milan finished in second place, and in which he was once again top-scorer, with 7 goals.[2][13][15]

Rivera achieved the last scudetto of his playing career in his final season, still contributing to the League victory with Milan in 1979, despite his own advancing age; this was the tenth title for "The Devils", earning them a star on their jersey.[2] In total, he played for Milan in 501 Serie A matches and scored 122 league goals, with a total of 160 goals in all competitions for Milan. With 128 goals in 527 Serie A appearances, is the 11th most capped player in Serie A history and the highest scoring midfielder in the league's history.[2][13][15][18] In total, Rivera scored 173 goals in all club competitions.[13][15]

International career

Early years

Rivera was a part of the Italian national side between 1962 and 1975. Rivera made his international debut with the under-21 side on 9 March 1960, scoring 2 goals in a 4–1 pre-Olympic friendly win over Switzerland, alongside Giacomo Bulgarelli. At the Summer Olympics in Rome, Rivera made his tournament debut in a 4–1 win against Taiwan, and teamed up with Bulgarelli in midfield to help the Italians to a fourth-place finish, scoring three goals in five matches.[19][20]

With the senior side, Rivera made his debut on 13 May 1962 in a 3–1 away win against Belgium, and he took part at the 1962 and the 1966 World Cups with Italy. He made his first World Cup appearance at the 1962 World Cup in Chile in a 0–0 draw against West Germany, his only appearance throughout the tournament.[19] During the 1966 World Cup, he was invited into a woman's back garden to examine her plough.[21] He was later part of the victorious Italian side that won their first European Championship in 1968, on home soil; however, despite picking up a winner's medal in the tournament, Rivera missed the final against Yugoslavia through an injury he picked up in the semi-final match against Soviet Union, despite a strong performance during the latter game.[2][18]

1970 World Cup

Rivera subsequently played with the Squadra Azzurra (Italian national team) in the 1970 FIFA World Cup hosted by Mexico; his excellent form saw him become Italy's star player throughout the tournament, as they reached the final, only to lose out 4–1 to a Pelé-led Brazil side.[2] Prior to the tournament, the Italian team was thrown into turmoil following Pietro Anastasi's last-minute injury, which ruled the striker out of the competition; Roberto Boninsegna and Pierino Prati were called up in his place, while Giovanni Lodetti, who was Rivera's midfield partner and defensive foil at Milan, was dropped from the team; as a result, Rivera was at the centre of controversy when he accused the Italian national team supervisor Walter Mandelli of leading a media campaign against him, and of also wanting to exclude him from the team, which only put his place on the team in further jeopardy.[15][22][23] Furthermore, the Italian coach at the 1970 World Cup Finals, Ferruccio Valcareggi, believed that Rivera and his fellow right-sided playmaker teammate Sandro Mazzola could not play together on the same field, as they played in similar positions for rival clubs. Although Rivera was arguably the more famous of the two stars at the time, Valcareggi elected to start Mazzola, due to his pace, stamina, superior work-rate, and stronger physical and athletic attributes, which he deemed more important in the tournament, and Rivera missed out on Italy's opening two group matches; he made his first appearance of the tournament in Italy's final group match, a 0–0 draw against Israel on 11 June, coming on for Angelo Domenghini.[2][15][24]

By the second round of the tournament, however, the Italian offence failed to sparkle. Although Rivera's playing style involved less running, physicality, tactical discipline, and work off the ball than Mazzola's, and made Italy less compact and more vulnerable defensively, it also allowed his team to control possesison in midfield, due to Rivera's ability to dictate the play with his passing moves. In order to play both players, Valcareggi therefore devised a controversial solution, which was later dubbed the "staffetta" (relay): Mazzola would start in the first half, while Rivera would come on at halftime, when the opposing teams would begin to tire. With this strategy, Rivera helped Italy defeat the hosts Mexico 4–1 in the quarterfinal on 14 June, scoring a goal, and also setting up both of Luigi Riva's goals, forming a notable offensive partnership with the Cagliari striker throughout the tournament.[15][22][24][25]

"I told myself, there's no other alternative for me but to get the ball, take it past everyone and score."

— Rivera on his mental state following his error which led to West Germany's temporary equaliser in extra-time of the 1970 World Cup semi-final, and ahead of his match-winning goal one minute later.[15]

In the semi-final against West Germany, at the Estadio Azteca on 17 June, Rivera played a major role in one of the most entertaining games in World Cup history, a match which was later dubbed The Game of the Century. Following a 1–1 draw after regulation time, Rivera's long passes led to Tarcisio Burgnich's and Luigi Riva's goals in extra-time, although he was later also at fault for Germany's equaliser; while defending against a German set-piece, Rivera briefly stepped away from the post, leaving it unmarked, and allowing Gerd Müller to score his second goal and tie the match at 3–3 in the 110th minute. A minute later, however, Rivera started an attacking play from the ensuing kick-off, a move which he eventually proceded to finish off himself, scoring Italy's match-winning goal from Roberto Boninsegna's low cross to give Italy a 4–3 victory, after advancing into the penalty area unmarked, and sending German goalkeeper Sepp Maier the wrong way with his first-time shot.[3][13][15][22][23][24][25]

"I was worried that Rivera would come on, I thought that with Rivera Italy would be more dangerous."

— Pelé on Rivera's limited playing time in the 1970 FIFA World Cup Final.[22]

However, despite Rivera being the hero of Italy's past two matches, in the final against Brazil, Valcareggi did not use Rivera until there were only six minutes left in the game, when he came on for Boninsegna with Italy trailing 3–1. Although the two creative Italian stars Rivera and Mazzola were finally able to play alongside each other, it was too late to overturn the result, and Brazil won the match 4–1 to capture the title. Valcareggi later justified his decision to neither start Rivera nor bring him on at half time, when the score was tied at 1–1, stating that several players in the starting line-up were in poor physical condition prior to the final, and that he was concerned that they would need to be substituted during the match, and as a result, waited longer than usual before bringing Rivera on.[2][13][15][22][24][23][26] Despite reaching the final, the Italian team and Valcareggi endured much criticism from the Italian public and media upon their return to Italy, in particular due to the "staffetta" policy, and Rivera's limited playing time in the heavy final defeat; Rivera was largely exempt from the criticism, however, due to his decisive performances throughout the tournament.[23][26]

Later years

"Rivera, Rivera, Rivera, Rivera."

— England manager Alf Ramsey's response when asked to name the four strongest Italian players following Italy's 1–0 win over England in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium on 14 November 1973.[27][28][29][30]

Rivera also played in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, wearing the number 10 shirt for Italy, and finally appearing alongside Mazzola. He scored a goal in the group stage against Haiti,[31] but he did not appear in the match where the aging Italians were knocked out by Poland in a 2–1 loss. The 1974 World Cup elimination marked the end of Rivera's career with the national team. In total, he played in 63 games for Italy, scoring 15 goals in the process; he is the second highest-scoring midfielder for Italy post-World War II, behind only Daniele De Rossi, and the third-highest scoring midfielder for Italy overall, behind Adolfo Baloncieri and De Rossi.[2][32][33] Rivera participated in four World Cups with Italy, making nine appearances in total and scoring three goals.[34]

Retirement

Milan vice-president

After retirement, Rivera became a vice-president at Milan. When Silvio Berlusconi bought the club in 1986, he resigned from his position and entered politics.[3][2]

Political career

Rivera started his career in politics in 1986, becoming a member of the Italian Parliament. He served as an under-secretary for defense under Romano Prodi's government and later a non-inscrit Member of the European Parliament (MEP).[3][2]

FIGC President

In 2013 Rivera was appointed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) as President of the Technical Sector (settore tecnico), which oversees the training and qualification of technical staff employed by the FIGC and is headquartered at the Coverciano in Florence.[3][35]

Style of play

"[Rivera] was ... one of the greatest passers of all time who was known for his impeccable dribbling and distribution. In addition, Gianni Rivera was a true gentleman, both on and off the field of play, and he has remained so to this day."

— Michel Platini speaking on Rivera being honoured with the UEFA President's Award in 2011.[36]

Rivera was a graceful, creative, technically gifted, and efficient offensive midfield playmaker, who possessed outstanding footballing intelligence, and class.[2][13][37] Rivera was capable of playing anywhere in midfield or along the front line, but he was usually used in a free role, either as a deep-lying playmaker in central midfield, or most frequently as a classic number 10 behind the forwards; he was also deployed as a deep-lying forward on occasion.[15][37] Although he was not known for his defensive abilities, and lacked both notable stamina and pace, as well as significant physical and athletic attributes due to his small stature and slender build,[23][38] he was an extremely talented player, and was renowned for his skilful yet effective style of play, despite his poor defensive work-rate.[15]

Rivera was highly regarded for his ball control, quick feet, acceleration, agility, balance, dribbling skills, and technique, which allowed him to change direction quickly, and dribble past players with ease; despite his technical ability, skill, and elegance on the ball, he would often avoid undertaking individual dribbling runs or challenging defenders one on one unless he deemed them necessary, preferring to create space through his precise passing game and offensive movement.[15][23][37][18][36] Indeed, above all, Rivera was known for his excellent vision and his sublime range of passing, which allowed him to control his team's play in midfield, spread passes across the pitch, or even play the ball first time, and also made him an excellent assist provider from any position on the field;[2][17][15][23][37][39] in 2011, former playmaker and UEFA president Michel Platini described him as one of the greatest passers in the history of the sport.[36]

Despite being primarily a creative midfielder, and a team player, who preferred assisting team-mates over scoring goals himself, Rivera was also known for his ability to make attacking runs and for having a keen eye for goal;[18] an accurate finisher from both inside and outside the area, he is the highest-scoring midfielder in Serie A history, with 128 goals, and the third highest-scoring midfielder in the history of the Italian national team.[17][15][23][37][18] He was also an accurate set piece and penalty-kick taker.[15][40] Rivera is widely considered to be one of the greatest Italian footballers and one of the most talented playmakers of all time, as well as one of the best players of his generation.[3][4] In addition to his footballing ability, Rivera was also highly regarded throughout his career for his composure under pressure, his correct behaviour on the pitch, and his vocal leadership, although his outspoken personality also led him to be involved in several controversial clashes with managers and officials.[23][18]

Legacy

Regarded as one of Italy's greatest ever footballers, one of the best players of his generation, and one of the most talented playmakers of all time,[3][23][37][18] Rivera placed 19th in IFFHS's election for the World Player of the 20th Century.[8][3] In 2004, Pelé chose Rivera as part of the FIFA 100 greatest living footballers,[10][3] and he placed 35th in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll.[11][3] In 2011, he was the recipient of the UEFA President's Award, which recognises outstanding achievements as a footballer, professional excellence and exemplary personal qualities.[18] In 2013, he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame,[3] and in 2014, he was named the 80th greatest player in World Cup history by The Guardian, ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.[34] In 2015, he became the first Italian footballer out of 100 athletes to be inducted into Italy's sports Walk of Fame.[9]

Outside of professional football

AIC

On 3 July 1968, Rivera founded the Italian Footballers' Association (AIC), in Milan, along with several fellow footballers, such as Giacomo Bulgarelli, Sandro Mazzola, Ernesto Castano, Giancarlo De Sisti, and Giacomo Losi, as well as the recently retired Sergio Campana, also a lawyer, who was appointed president of the association.[41]

Personal life

Rivera is married to Laura Marconi; together they have two children: Chantal (born in 1994) and Gianni (born in 1996). He has another daughter, Nicole (born in 1977), with the Italian former actress and television personality Elisabetta Viviani, with whom he was in a relationship at the time.[3][15]

Media

Rivera is featured in the EA Sports football video games FIFA 11, FIFA 14 and FIFA 15's Classic XI – a multi-national all-star team, along with compatriots Bruno Conti, Giacinto Facchetti, and Franco Baresi.[42]

In 2012, Rivera took part in the eighth season of Ballando con le Stelle (the Italian edition of Dancing with the Stars), on Rai 1.[43]

Career statistics

Club

[15]

Club Season League Cup Europe Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Alessandria 1958–59 1 0 - - - - - - 1 0
1959–60 25 6 - - - - - - 25 6
Total 26 6 - - - - - - 26 6
Milan 1960–61 30 6 1 0 - - 2 0 33 6
1961–62 27 10 1 0 2 0 - - 30 10
1962–63 27 9 - - 7 2 - - 34 11
1963–64 27 7 1 0 2 1 2 0 32 8
1964–65 29 2 - - - - - - 29 2
1965–66 31 7 1 0 4 1 - - 36 8
1966–67 34 12 6 7 2 0 1 0 43 19
1967–68 29 11 5 3 10 1 - - 44 15
1968–69 28 3 4 1 7 2 - - 39 6
1969–70 25 8 3 1 3 2 2 1 33 12
1970–71 26 6 10 7 - - - - 36 13
1971–72 23 3 6 2 8 4 - - 37 9
1972–73 28 17 6 3 9 0 - - 43 20
1973–74 26 6 5 1 8 0 - - 39 7
1974–75 27 3 4 0 - - - - 31 3
1975–76 14 1 5 1 3 0 - - 22 2
1976–77 27 4 7 0 5 0 - - 39 4
1977–78 30 6 5 1 1 0 - - 36 7
1978–79 13 1 4 1 5 0 - - 22 2
Total 501 122 74 28 76 13 7 1 658 164
Career total 527 128 74 28 76 13 7 1 684 170

*European competitions include the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, UEFA Cup, and UEFA Super Cup

International

[44]

Italy national team
Year Apps Goals
1962 4 2
1963 5 2
1964 4 2
1965 6 1
1966 6 2
1967 4 0
1968 4 0
1969 3 0
1970 7 2
1971 3 0
1972 3 0
1973 7 2
1974 4 1
1975 3 1
Total 63 15

Honours

Club

Milan[13][17]

International

Italy[13][45]

Individual

References

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  46. ^ FIFA XI´s Matches - Full Info
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  48. ^ "Zinedine Zidane voted top player by fans" (PDF). UEFA.com. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  49. ^ "BARESI, CAPELLO AND RIVERA ACCEPTED IN HALL OF FAME". A.C. Milan.com. 2 December 2014. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  50. ^ Roberto Di Maggio; Davide Rota (4 June 2015). "Italy - Coppa Italia Top Scorers". RSSSF. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
  51. ^ "Golden Foot Legends". Golden Foot.com. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
  52. ^ "CNA 100 Leggende CONI per data di nascita" (PDF) (in Italian). Coni. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
Preceded by Milan captain
1966–1975 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Romeo Benetti
 Milan captain
1976–1979 		Succeeded by
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