Gaetano Scirea

One of the greatest defenders in football history, Scirea won every major club trophy with Juventus and the 1982 World Cup with Italy.

Gaetano Scirea (25 May 1953 – 3 September 1989) was an Italian professional footballer who is considered one of the greatest defenders in football history. He spent most of his career with Juventus.

Quick Facts

Born: 25 May 1953
Birthplace: Cernusco sul Naviglio, Lombardy, Italy
Died: 3 September 1989
Place of death: Babsk, Skierniewice, Poland
Height: 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in
Position: Defender
Total caps: 435
Total goals: 25

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. He 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, aside from two seasons with Atalanta. At international level, he played for the Italy national team for more than a decade, keeping Franco Baresi out of the national team for four years until he retired in 1986. 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.

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 saw great success with Juventus, winning seven Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias, 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 played in three World Cups and one European Championship on home soil in 1980, where Italy finished in fourth place. He earned 78 caps and scored 2 goals.

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.