Inter and the entire Italian soccer community are in mourning following the death of Sandro Mazzola
Inter and the entire Italian soccer community are mourning the loss of Sandro Mazzola: the legendary Nerazzurri midfielder and captain passed away at the age of 83. “FC Internazionale Milano, its president Giuseppe Marotta, vice president Javier Zanetti, head coach Cristian Chivu and his staff, the players, and the entire Inter family join together with deep emotion to mourn the passing of Sandro Mazzola, a legend of both Inter and world soccer, and, in remembering him, extend their condolences to his family,” reads the statement from the Milan-based club.
The son of Valentino, the legendary captain of the “Grande Torino,” Sandro spent his entire career at Inter, wearing the Nerazzurri jersey for 17 seasons, from 1960 to 1977. During this long period, he won virtually every trophy: four league titles, two European Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups. On an individual level, he was the leading scorer in both Serie A and the European Cup, and in 1971, he finished second in the Ballon d’Or voting, behind Johan Cruyff. He also achieved a major milestone with the Italian national team, winning the European Championship in 1968.
Mazzola made his debut for the Azzurri in 1963, at just twenty years old. He was a very well-rounded attacking player: fast, technically skilled, capable of dribbling, creating chances, and scoring. He could play as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, or in a more advanced position. He participated in the 1966 World Cup in England, the tournament in which Italy was famously eliminated by North Korea. Mazzola played in all three group-stage matches and scored against Chile.
His most significant moment, however, came in 1968. Italy hosted and won the European Championship, claiming its first-ever European title. Mazzola was one of the stars of the team coached by Ferruccio Valcareggi and also played against Yugoslavia in the final.
Two years later came the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, likely the most famous moment of Mazzola’s career with the national team. Italy had two outstanding offensive players: Sandro Mazzola of Inter and Gianni Rivera of Milan. Head coach Valcareggi found it difficult to use them at the same time and adopted the famous “Mazzola-Rivera relay”: generally, Mazzola started the game and Rivera came on in the second half.
This strategy gained even more notoriety during the 4–3 Italy–West Germany match, the World Cup semifinal that went down in history as the “Match of the Century.” Italy won after extra time and advanced to the final against Brazil. In the final, however, Valcareggi played Mazzola the entire game. Rivera didn’t enter until the 84th minute, replacing Roberto Boninsegna. Pelé’s Brazil won 4-1, and Italy finished the World Cup in second place.
Mazzola continued to wear the Azzurri jersey until the 1974 World Cup. His final appearance came on June 23, in a 2-1 loss to Poland that sealed Italy’s elimination in the first round. His career with the Azzurri was remarkable: 70 appearances, 22 goals, European champion in 1968, and World Cup runner-up in 1970.
