Gaetano Scirea

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Lore & Background

Scirea is one of only six players in European football history to have won all international trophies for football clubs recognized by UEFA and FIFA. Scirea is also one of only nine players in the history of European football that won all three major UEFA football competitions, a feat he managed while playing with Juventus, the Italian club with which he spent the majority of his career, aside from two seasons with Atalanta. At international level, he played for the Italy national team for more than a decade. Scirea became a World Champion with the 1982 FIFA World Cup winning team, which defeated Brazil 3–2 in a decisive second round match and Germany 3–1 in the final; he also represented Italy in two more World Cups, finishing in fourth-place in 1978, and UEFA Euro 1980, where Italy once again managed a fourth-place finish.

In Their Own Story

Scirea debuted for Italy on 30 December 1975 against Greece. He became a key figure under manager Enzo Bearzot, playing in three World Cups and Euro 1980, where Italy finished fourth. His career highlight was the 1982 FIFA World Cup victory, where Italy defeated Brazil 3–2 in a decisive second round match and West Germany 3–1 in the final. He earned 78 caps and scored two goals for his country.

Reader's Guide

Scirea made his Serie A debut for Atalanta against Cagliari on 24 September 1972. He remained with Atalanta for two seasons, before transferring to Juventus, with whom he would stay until the end of his playing career. In all, he made 397 appearances in Serie A, scoring 24 goals. He managed the impressive feat of winning every UEFA Club and domestic competition during his time at the club (seven Serie A titles, one Coppa Italia, one UEFA Cup, one Cup Winners' Cup, one European Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and one Intercontinental Cup). He retired from club football at the end of the 1987–88 season. He took up the role of scout at Juventus, later working as a coach. Scirea's debut for the Italy national team was on 30 December 1975, against Greece. He immediately became an irreplaceable pillar of the team managed by Enzo Bearzot, and played in three World Cups, and one European Championship on home soil in 1980, where Italy finished in fourth place after reaching the semi-final, and Scirea was named part of the team of the tournament. By 1986 World Cup, however, the team was in transition, and went out to France in the second round. This was to be Scirea's last match for Italy, having won 78 caps and scored 2 goals.

Did You Know?

• Scirea never earned a red card in his career.
• He was born at Cernusco sul Naviglio, in the province of Milan, but was of Sicilian origin.
• Scirea died on 3 September 1989 in a car collision near Babsk, Poland, when a car carrying him collided head-on with a truck and exploded.
• He is one of only six players to have won all international club trophies recognized by UEFA and FIFA.

The Complete Club Career

Scirea spent two seasons with Atalanta before joining Juventus in 1974. He made 397 Serie A appearances for the club, scoring 24 goals. His tenure included seven Serie A titles (1974–75, 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1983–84, 1985–86), two Coppa Italias (1978–79, 1982–83), and major European honors: UEFA Cup (1976–77), Cup Winners' Cup (1983–84), European Cup (1984–85), UEFA Super Cup (1984), and Intercontinental Cup (1985).

International Dominance and World Glory

Scirea played for Italy from 1975 to 1986. He represented the team in the 1978 World Cup (fourth place), Euro 1980 (fourth place, named to the Team of the Tournament), and the 1982 World Cup (winner). In 1982, Italy beat Argentina, Brazil, Poland, and West Germany. By the 1986 World Cup, the team exited in the second round against France; this was his final match. He finished with 78 caps and two goals.

The Elegant Libero

Scirea played as a sweeper for most of his career, utilizing vision and composure to contribute offensively. He was renowned for fair play and sportsmanship, never earning a red card. As he aged, he adapted to a centre-back role. His leadership saw him captain both club and country.

Tragic End and Lasting Legacy

Scirea died on 3 September 1989 in a car accident near Babsk, Poland, while observing a UEFA Cup match against Górnik Zabrze. The car collided with a truck carrying gasoline canisters, which exploded. He was buried two days after Polish star Kazimierz Deyna died in a similar incident. In his honor, the Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea" was established, and Juventus retired jersey number 6 in 2005 (proposed by Enzo Bearzot). The south stands of Juventus stadiums are known as Curva Scirea.