José Altafini
Altafini (left) with the Brazilian President Lula (2008)
José João Altafini ( born August 24, 1938 in Piracicaba, São Paulo) - rather than Mazzola known in Brazil - is a former Brazilian footballer of Italian origin; He played at the position of center forward.
The Italian -Brazilian dual national was one of the most successful and most accurate striker of his generation. Especially in the 1960s reached Altafini 216 goals in the Italian Serie A. He is, together with Giuseppe Meazza 's third- leading scorer in the history of Italy's top flight. He distinguished himself especially by his quickness and a strong eye for goal.
Clubs
Altafini, son of an Italian emigrant, his professional career began in 1956 with Palmeiras São Paulo. In Brazil Altafini was known by his nickname Mazzola; this he was awarded with the famous Valentino Mazzola, who had been in the 1940s at the legendary Grande Torino team due to its large similarity. In Palmeiras José Altafini played two seasons and also made it into the Brazilian national team. For the season 1958/59 he moved from Palmeiras for Italian Serie A club AC Milan, where he remained for seven seasons in a row. He twice won the Italian Championship and in the 1961/62 season with 22 goals, along with Aurelio Milani Fiorentina, the top scorer in Serie A. A special highlight was winning the European Cup of Champions 1962 /63. In the final against Benfica Altafini scored both goals by Milan and thanks to its goals the Milan club won the most coveted club titles in Europe for the first time in its history. Altafini shot in this competition 14 goals, a record he holds jointly with Lionel Messi.
At the end of his time at Milan Altafini was not as successful a scorer as at the beginning, which is why he 1965/66 moved to league rivals Napoli in the season. He came back more frequently used and also scored more goals again. During his seven years in Naples Altafini could celebrate any further securities. In the 1972/73 season he moved to Italian giants Juventus, winning there in the first season, the Italian Cup and also again reached the final of the Masters Cup, where they lost against Ajax Amsterdam 0-1. Then denied Juventus vs CA Independiente the final of the World Cup, where the team was defeated again 0-1. Even in the final of the Coppa Italia lost the Turin against AC Milan 3:6 on penalties. In the season 1974/75 Altafini won for the second time with Juventus Scudetto. 1976 moved Altafini to Switzerland for FC Chiasso, where he stayed for three years before he moved to the 3rd league to FC Mendrisio- Stabio, where he at the end of the 1979/80 season once in his career with a success, the rise the second league ended.
The National Players
1957 José Altafini debuted in the 2-1 win against Portugal in the Brazilian national team. A year later he was part of the Brazilian squad at the FIFA World Cup 1958, which won the title in Sweden. In this tournament, he came in first round and quarterfinals in three games for use and scoring two goals.
After Altafini was changed for the season 1958/59 for AC Milan, he debuted on October 15, 1961 in a 4-2 against Israel in the Italian national team. With the Squadra Azzura he also took part in the Football World Cup 1962 in Chile, however, one difference here early so that he could not defend his world title. Overall Altafini denied 14 times: eight for Brazil and six for Italy.
His life after professional football
After the end of his successful career Altafini worked as a sports commentator, an activity that he carries to this day.