Ernesto Castano has died, Juventus and Italian soccer in mourning

Ernesto Castano died

Ernesto Castano, a defender who was European champion with the national team in 1968, has died at the age of 83. To remember him, the FIGC has ordered a minute’s silence to be observed at league matches scheduled for the weekend.

“It is another painful bereavement for Italian soccer,” says FIGC president Gabriele Gravina, “He had the merit of modernizing the role of central defender and was a protagonist of Italy in ’68, which rekindled in the country the passion for the national team. Also for this we will always be grateful to him, Castano Azzurro forever.”

He grew up in Balsamese, and after experiences in Serie B with Legnano and Triestina in 1958 he landed at Juventus, with which in twelve seasons he won 3 Scudetti and as many Italian Cups, even getting to wear the captain’s armband. He made his debut in the national team in November 1959 against Hungary (7 his appearances in Azzurro) and took part in the 1968 European Championship, playing in the Quarterfinals with Bulgaria, in the semifinals with the Soviet Union and in the first final with Yugoslavia.