Antonio Cabrini

Lore & Background

Cabrini was nicknamed Bell'Antonio because of his popularity as a charismatic and good-looking football player. He is remembered for forming one of the most formidable defensive units of all time with Italy and Juventus, alongside goalkeeper Dino Zoff and defenders Claudio Gentile and Gaetano Scirea. He is one of the few players to have won all UEFA Club competitions with Juventus. In 2021, he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.

Reader's Guide

Cabrini made his professional debut with Cremonese in Serie C in 1973–74. He played for Atalanta in Serie B in 1975–76, then joined Juventus in 1976. With Juventus he won six Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia, one UEFA Super Cup, one European Cup, one UEFA Cup, and one Intercontinental Cup. He captained Juventus in his final season. He moved to Bologna in 1989 and retired after two seasons. He played 352 Serie A matches (297 with Juventus), scoring 35 goals (33 with Juventus). For Italy, he earned his first cap on 2 June 1978 against France. He played in three World Cups (1978, 1982, 1986) and Euro 1980. He scored the match-winning goal in Italy's 2–1 second round win over Argentina in 1982. He earned 73 caps and scored 9 goals for Italy. He ended his international career in October 1987.

Did You Know?

• Cabrini missed a penalty in the 25th minute of the 1982 World Cup final against West Germany, but Italy still won 3–1.
• He was originally a left winger before being switched to left-back by youth coach Ivanoe Nolli at Cremonese.
• Cabrini briefly appeared on the Italian reality show L'Isola dei Famosi in 2008 and later joined the Italy of Values party in 2009.