Giampiero Boniperti (2 Viewers)

Ahmed

Principino
Sep 3, 2006
47,928
#7


The legendary Juventus #10 turns 81 today!

Happy Birthday!

:ultra: :ultra: :ultra:


As a player, Boniperti was simply the best Italian player to emerge from the second world war. Transferred to Juventus for 60,000 lire he was the centre-forward of the team which at the beginning of the 1950s won two scudetti. He contributed with tens of goals and furthermore became the absolute leader of a club which he loves more the anything else. With the passing of time his position changed to that of wing-back helping Omar Sivori and John Charles (two new champions at the service of the Old Lady) as well as the club itself win three scudetti in four seasons between 1957 and 1961. In all he played 444 matches and scored 181 goals, a record which he held until the advent of Del Piero, the only player who managed to break it. One must say that it was his excellent intuition of talent that brought Alex to Juventus.

On the 10th of June 1961, at the end of a 9-1 final score against the Inter boys, Boniperti retired from being a footballer. His handing over of his boots to the kit manager brought along the end of an era in what was a determined decision after having won the 12th scudetto. True champions understand when it is time to call it a day. He never returned to the field, not even in a friendly match even though he was the only Italian player to be called up with the Rest of the World side which played against England in 1953 in a match which ended in a 4-4 draw.

The fantastic track record obtained as a player was enhanced further during his office career. Boniperti was Juventus president between 1971 and 1990 and general manager between 1991 and 1994. It is more then a cycle of good results but rather an era constituted of triumphs and great champions in a mix with young players who were gradually inserted with a keen eye. All this he carried out, obviously, in the Juve style.

On the eve of this new stage in his life, all at Juventus wish Giampiero Boniperti all the best on his birthday.



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