Marco Tardelli

Italian midfield legend and World Cup icon

Marco Tardelli (born 24 September 1954) is an Italian former football player and manager. At club level, he played as a midfielder for several Italian clubs; he began his career with Pisa, and later played for Como, Juventus, and Inter Milan, before retiring with Swiss club St. Gallen. He enjoyed a highly successful career with Juventus, winning five league titles, as well as multiple Coppa Italia titles, and four major UEFA competitions (European Cup, Cup Winner's Cup, UEFA Cup and UEFA Super Cup), becoming one of the first three players ever to win all three major UEFA club competitions, along with Italy and Juventus teammates Antonio Cabrini and Gaetano Scirea. Tardelli also achieved success with the Italy national team, winning the 1982 FIFA World Cup.

Quick Facts

Born: 24 September 1954
Birthplace: Capanne di Careggine, Italy
Height: 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in
Position: Midfielder, defender
Total caps: 393

Lore & Background

Tardelli was born at Capanne di Careggine, in the province of Lucca (Tuscany). He started his career in the Italian Serie C with Pisa in 1972. Two years later he played in Serie B with Como before joining Juventus in October 1975. During his decade-long stint at Juventus, he won the UEFA Cup in 1977, the Cup Winners' Cup in 1984, the European Cup in 1985, five Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia titles, and the 1984 European Super Cup.

He scored the decisive goal in the first leg of the 1977 UEFA Cup final. He played 376 games for Juventus and scored 51 goals. He left Juventus in 1985 for Inter Milan, where he remained until 1987, then ended his career in 1988 after a season with St. Gallen. He made his international debut on 7 April 1976 against Portugal.

He played at the 1978 World Cup, Euro 1980 (fourth place), and the 1982 World Cup (winner), scoring twice in the latter, including the iconic goal in the final against West Germany. He also was part of the 1986 World Cup squad but did not play. He won 81 caps for Italy, playing his final game against Norway in September 1985. He served as Italy's captain between 1983 and 1985.

As a manager, he coached the Italy U-16 side, served as assistant to Cesare Maldini for the U-21 side, led Como, Cesena, the Italy U-21 team (winning the 1997 Mediterranean Games and 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship), Inter Milan, Bari, the Egypt national team (2004–2005), Arezzo, and was assistant manager to Giovanni Trapattoni with the Republic of Ireland (2008–2013).

Reader's Guide

Tardelli was an energetic and hard-tackling yet technically skilful two-way midfielder, known for his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. He was quick, tenacious, and versatile, capable of playing in multiple midfield roles, as a winger, or even as a defender. He possessed a powerful shot and could strike and pass with either foot. His goal celebration in the 1982 World Cup final—running away shaking his fists, tears pouring down his face, screaming 'Gol! Gol!'—is regarded as one of the most iconic moments in World Cup history. In 2004, he was named 37th in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll; he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

Did You Know?

His iconic 1982 World Cup final goal celebration was named the fourth greatest World Cup moment of all time by the BBC in 2014.
Tardelli's nickname 'Schizzo' was given by Juventus teammate Luciano Spinosi due to his great pace and slender build.