Dino Zoff (English)

Played in 4 World Cups: 1970 World Cup Mexico, 1974 World Cup Federal Republic of Germany, 1978 World Cup Argentina, 1982 World Cup Spain
- Champion Spain 1982
Played in 2 UEFA Euro (Final Stage): Italy 1968 and Italy 1980
- Champion UEFA Euro Italy 1968

Udinese Calcio (1961 – 1963)
AC Mantova (1963 – 1967)
SSC Napoli (1967 – 1972)
Juventus (1972 – 1983):
- 6 Serie A/Italian First Division Leagues (1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1982)
- 2 Coppa Italia (1979 and 1983)
- 1 UEFA Cup (1977)

National Team: Dino made his debut against Bulgaria (April 20, 1968 – UEFA Euro), winning two nil. His last match was against Sweden (May 29, 1983 – UEFA Euro Qualifier), losing two nil. Total: 112 matches (84 goals conceded, 61 clean sheets).
Clubs: 476 games played with Juventus (332 matches in Serie A). 153 with SSC Napoli in Serie A. Total: 570 games in the Italian League.

«He was capable of staying calm during the toughest and the most exhilarating moments» Enzo Bearzot

His excellent positioning, reflexes and leadership made Dino Zoff one of the best goalkeepers in history.
He was born in Friuli, place were he forged his humble character and hard-working attitude.
When he was 14 years old, Dino was rejected by Juventus and Inter since he was not tall enough, measuring 1.60 meters; small to be considered a goalkeeper.
His grandmother, in order to help him fulfill his dream, gave Zoff eight eggs a day until he reaches an acceptable height. At the end, he grew 22 centimeters – uncertain how effective the recipe of his grandmother was.
Udinese Calcio was his first professional club, having a very tough debut, receiving five goals against Fiorentina. He was not a regular on the pitch, with Udinese getting relegated at the end of the season.
In 1963, he signed with AC Mantova, region of Lombardy, for 30 million lira. In Mantova, he developed and started to shine.

In 1967, SSC Napoli, managed by Bruno Pesaola, payed 120 million lira for Dino. AC Milan and Inter were also interested, biding 100 million lira on the last day of the transfer market.
In his first season, Zoff allowed 24 goals in 30 matches, with Napoli finishing second in the league.
In 1968, he represented Italy for the first time in his career. Dino, 26 years old at the time, debuted against Bulgaria at the San Paolo Stadium (Naples) in the UEFA Euro quarterfinals.
The Italian was a starter until the end of the tournament, playing against the Soviet Union in the semifinal and Yugoslavia in the final (two matches). In the tiebreaker game, Zoff kept a clean sheet, winning his first professional title.
He was called to the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, however, he did not play since the manager – Ferruccio Valcareggi – chose Enrico Albertosi as the starter. Italy finished second, losing against the powerful Brazil.

Dino kept shinning, allowing 19 goals in the 1970-1971 season. Nonetheless, the team could not get the title, finishing third.
The next season, during a training session, Zoff suffered the only injury of his career, playing just two games that year.
Napoli was going through financial issues, forcing themselves to sell some of their stars, among them, their goalkeeper.
The Italian wished to stay on the team, but that was impossible, signing with Juventus for 330 million lira.
In Turin, between December 3 of 1972 to February 18 of 1973, Zoff did not receive a goal (903 minutes), a record that was surpassed by Gianluigi Buffon in 2016. Also, he lifted his second title, the Serie A with two points ahead of Napoli.

Dino also excelled in the Italian National team, keeping his posts without a goal for 1,142 minutes – from 1972 to 1974 – record that still stands. His outstanding performances made him finished second in the European Player of the Year (nowadays Ballon D’Or), behind Johan Cruyff.
Juventus won five leagues in the next eight seasons, adding one Coppa Italia and one UEFA Cup. The last one, against Athletic Club (2 – 2 decided by away goal) – the only regional tournament won by Zoff in his career.

In the summer of 1982, Zoff led Italy to their third World Cup – first in 44 years – lifting the trophy as captain at the Santiago Bernabéu. He was 40 years old, a major achievement for a football legend.

His best performance was against the powerful Brazil (3 – 2) in the last game of the second round.

With the World Cup, Dino Zoff is the only Italian football player to lift both the Euro and the Cup.

In his last professional season, he was very close to win the European Cup (Champions League), but lost against Hamburg SV in the final one nil – Felix Magath scored. Juventus had a team full of stars, highlighting Paolo Rossi, Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek. Nevertheless, he retired lifting the 1983 Coppa Italia.

Head Coach

After retirement, Dino worked as a goalkeeper trainer for Juventus, turning into their head coach in 1988.
With him as the coach, the team won two cups in 1990, one UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia. At the end of the season, Dino’s contract ended, signing with SS Lazio.
Zoff coached there for four years, assuming the role of President from 1994 until 1998.

In July of 1998, he became Italy’s head coach, reaching the 2000 UEFA Euro final against France; losing two goals to one in extra time (Golden Goal). After the defeat, he resigned due to criticism made specially by Silvio Berlusconi.
Dino returned to Lazio in 2001 – lasting a year – and coached AFC Fiorentina for half a season (18 games) in 2005, avoiding relegation in the last match.
According to Dino Zoff, Michel Platini, Jose Altafini and Omar Sivori were the best players he played with; Francesco Totti the best he coached.