GIANCINTO FACCHETTI

The very famous and formidable Italian defender was born on July 18th 1942 in Treviglio, a town in Lombardy. Facchetti was eventually known as one of Italy's greatest players who played for Inter Milan (Internazionale) and became club president after his retirement from playing in 1978.


Starting with local club Trevigliesse in 1956 he was brought to Inter Milan by Helenio Herrera who manged the side in the 1960s. As a full back, Facchetti fitted well into Herrera defensive strategy which included the "Catenaccio" which mean "sliding bolt". This system was based on a 5-3-2 with a "sweeper" or "libero" who patrolled the back four and mopped up any errors.

La Grande Inter Milan won Serie A four times during that period (1962-71) and two European Cups in 1964 and 1965. They also bagged a Coppa Italia and 2 Inter-continental cups.
He turned out for Inter 629 times scoring 75 goals through to 1978.
In 1965 he was elected second in the Ballon d'Or and his "Number 3" shirt was retired when he did.
Generally as a well  behaved played he was sent off only once for hand clapping sarcasm. Too clever for his own good!
He was 6'3"...spot him?
He represented his country, the Azurri 94 times and won Gold for the UEFA Euro Championships in 1968, when he was captain, and a Silver runners up medal in the World Cup, when despite being voted in the tournament's top team, his team, Italy, lost to Brazil 1-4.

Facchetti was president of Inter from 2004 who sadly died from cancer in September 2006.

He was voted one of 14 Italians named in Pele's top 150 footballers of all time published in March 2004 and of course, elected to the Italian Hall of Fame as well as many other recognitions.

PELE'S LIST!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIFA_100