Walter Zenga

Legendary Inter Milan goalkeeper and three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper.

Walter Zenga (born 28 April 1960) is an Italian professional football manager and former player. He is regarded as "one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation", and "one of Italy's best keepers ever". He was a long-time goalkeeper for Inter Milan and the Italy national team. During his playing career, Zenga was part of the Italian squad that finished fourth at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and was the starting goalkeeper for the Italian team that finished third in the 1990 FIFA World Cup tournament held in Italy, keeping a World Cup record unbeaten streak, until broken by Unai Simón in 2026. A three-time winner of the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper Award, Zenga is regarded by pundits as one of the best goalkeepers of all time, and in 2013 was voted the eighth best goalkeeper of the past quarter-century by IFFHS. In 2000, he also placed 20th in the World Keeper of the Century Elections by the same organisation. After retiring as a player, Zenga briefly became an actor in an Italian soap opera and also a pundit on Italian TV. Since 1998 he has worked as a head coach and managed clubs in the United States, Italy, Turkey, Romania, Serbia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and England.

Quick Facts

Born: 28 April 1960
Birthplace: Milan, Italy
Height: 1.88 m / 6 ft 2 in
Position: Goalkeeper
Total caps: 530

Lore & Background

Zenga joined Inter Milan in 1982, after starting his professional career in 1978 in the lower divisions of Italian football (his first team was Salernitana in Serie C1, and he also played for Savona and Sambenedettese). Initially, in the 1982–83 season he was the substitute of Ivano Bordon. However, Zenga played Inter's matches in the Coppa Italia, impressing enough that the club decided not to buy another goalkeeper after Bordon's decision to move to Sampdoria during the summer of 1983. Zenga became Inter's starting goalkeeper in the 1983–84 season, where he conceded only 23 goals, better than any other goalkeeper in that season. The next season would prove to be bittersweet for Zenga: although he continued to play excellently, he did not manage to win any trophies. In Italy, Inter was the main rival of Hellas Verona who won the first and only Scudetto of its history in 1985, while in Europe he had to suffer two bitter and quite controversial defeats at the hands of Spanish giants Real Madrid, both times in the UEFA Cup semi-finals. However, personal success was growing: he became a fan favourite due to his qualities and his love for the team, his fame was now nationwide thanks to his larger than life personality and he quickly established himself as one of the premier goalkeepers of the country, which led to him being called up to Italy's squad for the 1986 World Cup. Apart from enjoying the selection for a World Cup, the summer of 1986 proved to be important for Zenga also at club level. In fact, Inter signed Giovanni Trapattoni, who left Juventus after a highly successful 10-year stint, to manage the team. Meanwhile, the trio formed by Zenga, Giuseppe Bergomi and Riccardo Ferri was becoming the cornerstone of the team and of the Italian team also. In the 1986–87 season, Inter closely fought Napoli for the Scudetto, finishing third despite a series of injuries. However, Zenga imposed himself as the best goalkeeper in Italy, finishing the 30 matches-long season conceding only 17 goals and by being picked by new Italy's manager Azeglio Vicini as the starter in the goalkeeping position. The next season would prove to be disappointing for Inter and Zenga: the team struggled all the season, due to lack of compatibility between the two main forwards and between the two offensive midfielders.

Reader's Guide

Walter Zenga is a legendary Italian goalkeeper known for his long tenure at Inter Milan, where he won two UEFA Cups (1991, 1994) and a Serie A title (1988–89). He was named IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper three times (1989–1991) and held a World Cup unbeaten streak record until 2026. After playing for Sampdoria and Padova, he joined the New England Revolution in MLS in 1997, earning MLS Player of the Month and All-Star honors. He retired in 1998 and later became the Revolution's head coach. He also worked as a pundit and actor.

Did You Know?

Zenga saved penalty kicks from Roberto Baggio, Michel Platini, and Paul Merson.
He was presented with a bottle of 'Mayor’s Own Marinara Sauce' by Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci before the 1997 MLS All-Star Game.
Zenga celebrated a goal for the Revolution by running to the sidelines and making out with his girlfriend.
He was the first Revolution player to win MLS Player of the Month (September 1997).