Christian Vieri

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Vieri played for 12 clubs throughout his career, mainly in Italy but also in Spain and France. His most notable spells were at Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Lazio, and Inter. He won the Pichichi Trophy and Capocannoniere awards, and was Serie A Italian Footballer of the Year twice. At international level, he scored 23 goals in 49 appearances for Italy between 1997 and 2005, and is joint-highest World Cup scorer for Italy with nine goals.

In Their Own Story

The rain lashed against the San Siro roof, blurring the floodlights into hazy halos. The crowd was a sea of blue and black, a deafening roar that vibrated through the concrete stands. On the pitch, 'Bobo' stood towering over the opposing defender, his chest heaving as he waited for the cross. The ball arced high into the night sky, defying gravity for a split second before crashing down toward him. With a thunderous leap, Vieri connected, his head meeting the leather with a sickeningly sweet thud that echoed through the stadium. As the net rippled and the roar reached a fever pitch, he pointed to the fans, a primal scream of triumph escaping his lips, embodying the very soul of Inter's fighting spirit.

Reader's Guide

Vieri started his career with Torino in 1991. After spells in Serie B with Pisa, Ravenna, and Venezia, he returned to Serie A with Atalanta in 1995. He then moved to Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Lazio, and Inter Milan. He joined Inter in 1999 for a world record fee.

Did You Know?

• Vieri was born in Bologna, Italy, to footballer Roberto Vieri and Christiane Rivaux, and moved to Australia as a child.
• He is of Italian and French descent; his mother was born in Casablanca and raised in Paris.
• His nickname Bobo came from his father.
• He named Australian cricketer Allan Border as his all-time sporting hero.
• He played for Marconi Juniors as a child and later for Marconi Stallions.