Roberto Bernabai Has Died: Farewell to the Legendary Sports Journalist from TMC and La7

The Italian sports journalism community mourns the passing of Roberto Bernabai, who died at the age of 70. For decades, he was one of the most familiar faces and voices on Telemontecarlo and La7, distinguished by a sober, competent style that steered clear of the heated rhetoric often associated with soccer coverage.

Born in Rome on February 6, 1956, he took his first steps in the profession in 1975, contributing to various periodicals. Between 1985 and 1990, he worked as a radio commentator and host for several regional stations in Lazio before joining the sports desk at TMC. Starting in 1992, he began hosting news programs and shows dedicated to sports, later continuing his work at La7.

Over the course of his career, he covered three FIFA World Cups—in 1990, 1994, and 1998—and three UEFA European Championships—in 1992, 1996, and 2000—working both as a correspondent and as a play-by-play commentator. He also covered the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and, for six seasons, Spanish La Liga matches broadcast by TMC and TMC2, collaborating with Francesco Izzi and Giancarlo De Sisti.

A huge Roma fan, Bernabai was also particularly well-known in the capital’s radio scene. Over the years, he had participated in numerous local sports broadcasts, collaborating with various stations, including Retesport.