11 Facts About Giuseppe Bergomi

1.

Giuseppe Bergomi is an Italian former professional footballer who spent his entire career at Inter Milan.

2.

Giuseppe Bergomi is regarded as one of the greatest Italian defenders of all time, and as one of the best of his generation, being elected by Pele to be part of the FIFA 100 in 2004.

3.

Giuseppe Bergomi was affectionately referred to as "Lo zio" because of his bushy eyebrows and the impressive moustache he wore even as a youngster.

4.

Giuseppe Bergomi would go on to spend his entire career with Inter, later becoming team captain.

5.

Giuseppe Bergomi retired in 1999 at the age of almost 36, holding the record of most appearances for Inter until late September 2011 when he was overtaken by Javier Zanetti.

6.

Giuseppe Bergomi partnered for the rest of the tournament with Fabio Cannavaro, Alessandro Costacurta and Maldini, playing three games and leading Italy to a quarter-final finish, where they would be eliminated by hosts and eventual champions France, on penalties; this would be his 81st and final international appearance, to which he added six goals.

7.

Giuseppe Bergomi was an extremely versatile defender, who was capable of playing anywhere along the backline and adapting to any formation: although he was primarily a right-back, he was equally capable of playing on the left, as a central defender, or even as a sweeper, positions in which he was often deployed both at club and international level.

8.

Above all Giuseppe Bergomi was known for his excellent man-marking skills as a "stopper", although he was later able to excel in a zonal marking system; he was highly regarded for his timing of his challenges and his anticipation.

9.

In July 2011, Giuseppe Bergomi left Monza to accept the same position at Atalanta BC.

10.

Giuseppe Bergomi is married to Daniela; they have two children: Andrea and Sara.

11.

In May 2020, Giuseppe Bergomi revealed that he had recovered from COVID-19 after contracting it following its outbreak in Italy.