Attila Sallustro

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Sallustro was born in Asunción, Paraguay to Italian parents (Gaetano and Evelina), but moved to Naples in Italy, with his parents and siblings as a youngster in 1920. He came from a wealthy background and his father wanted him to play football in Italy. He joined a football academy at the age of 12, where he drew attention of a scout who brought him to Internaples (the name of the club 'Napoli' at the time). At Napoli he was nicknamed 'Il Veltro' and 'Il Divino'. Due to his background, Sallustro chose not to take any financial pay from the club, as his father believed that it was unacceptable to earn a living in such a manner. However, he was rewarded with gifts, including a luxury motor car, a black Fiat Balilla 521. In his first season, he scored 10 goals in 13 appearances, at only 18 years of age. At Napoli he played for 12 years, forming a strong attack alongside Antonio Vojak and Marcello Mihalich. In total, he scored 108 goals for the club in 269 appearances across all competitions, making him Napoli's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time. He served as the club's captain between 1933 and 1937. His career was halted at one point due to World War II. He had a brother two years his junior, named Oreste Sallustro (referred to sometimes as Sallustro II). The two played together at Napoli though Oreste appeared less frequently. After retiring from football in 1939, following a two-year spell with Salernitana, he stayed in Naples until his death in 1983, serving as the director of the city's San Paolo Stadium between 1960 and 1981, Napoli's home ground, and as the club's manager in 1961. Sallustro was called up in the Italy national football team twice in 1929 and scored for them once. One of the games in which he played was a 6–1 defeat of Portugal. Sallustro along with Marcello Mihalic was the first Napoli player to be called up in the Italy national team. He made one start in the silver medal 1931–32 Central European International Cup campaign, in Italy's 3–0 win against Switzerland. Despite his goal-scoring pedigree at club level, he was kept out of the side during much of his playing days due largely to the inclusion of Giuseppe Meazza in the centre-forward role by manager Vittorio Pozzo. This was famously much to the dismay of some Neapolitans who thought his exclusion from the squad was unjust.

In Their Own Story

Sallustro was called up in the Italy national football team twice in 1929 and scored for them once. One of the games in which he played was a 6–1 defeat of Portugal. Sallustro along with Marcello Mihalic was the first Napoli player to be called up in the Italy national team. He made one start in the silver medal 1931–32 Central European International Cup campaign, in Italy's 3–0 win against Switzerland. Despite his goal-scoring pedigree at club level, he was kept out of the side during much of his playing days due largely to the inclusion of Giuseppe Meazza in the centre-forward role by manager Vittorio Pozzo. This was famously much to the dismay of some Neapolitans who thought his exclusion from the squad was unjust.

Reader's Guide

Attila Sallustro is a legendary figure in Napoli's history, known for his prolific scoring and loyalty to the club. He played as a striker, scoring 108 goals in 269 appearances for Napoli, making him the club's fifth-highest goalscorer of all time. He captained the team from 1933 to 1937 and later managed the club briefly in 1961. He also served as director of the San Paolo Stadium from 1960 to 1981. His international career was limited to two appearances for Italy in 1929, scoring once.

Did You Know?

• Sallustro was born in Paraguay to Italian parents and moved to Naples in 1920.
• He refused a salary from Napoli because his father considered it unacceptable to earn a living playing football, but he received gifts like a black Fiat Balilla 521.
• He and Marcello Mihalich were the first Napoli players to be called up to the Italy national team.
• Sallustro's brother Oreste also played for Napoli, though less frequently.