Giuseppe Bergomi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Giuseppe Bergomi
OMRI

Bergomi in 2008
Personal information
Date of birth	(1963-12-22) 22 December 1963 (age 61)
Place of birth	Milan, Italy
Height	1.84 m
Playing position	Defender
Youth career
1977–1979	Inter Milan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1979–1999	Inter Milan	517	(24)
National team
1982–1984	Italy U21	4	(0)
1982–1998	Italy	81	(6)
Honours Men's football Representing  Italy FIFA World Cup Winner 1982 Spain Third 1990 Italy UEFA European Championship Third 1988 West Germany UEFA European Under-21 Championship Third 1984
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Giuseppe "Beppe" Bergomi (born 22 December 1963) is a famous Italian former footballer. He played his entire career as a defender for Inter Milan. Many people think he is one of the greatest Italian defenders of all time. Even the legendary footballer Pelé chose him for the FIFA 100 list of top living players in 2004.

Bergomi was a "one-club man," meaning he played for only one team his whole career. He held the record for the most games played for Inter Milan for many years. He was also the team's longtime captain. His teammates lovingly called him "Lo zio" (which means "the uncle"). This was because of his bushy eyebrows and the mustache he wore even when he was young. It reminded a teammate of his own uncle.

After retiring from playing, Bergomi became a football expert. He now works as a pundit for Sky Sports Italia. He often helps commentate on Serie A matches.

Playing for Clubs: Inter Milan Legend

Giuseppe Bergomi was born in Milan, Italy. He started training with Inter Milan's main team when he was only 16. He played his first professional game at 17, in 1980. This was a Coppa Italia match against their big rivals, Juventus.

In the 1981–82 season, Bergomi helped Inter win the Coppa Italia cup. They also reached the semi-finals of the European Cup. His strong performances quickly earned him a spot in Italy's national team.

Bergomi stayed with Inter Milan for his whole career. He later became the team's captain. He played in twenty Serie A seasons. Even though he only won the Italian league title (the Scudetto) once in 1988–89, he had other big successes. He won the UEFA Cup three times (in 1991, 1994, and 1998). He also reached the final of this cup a fourth time in 1997.

Bergomi retired in 1999 when he was almost 36 years old. He had played 758 games for Inter, which was a club record for many years. Javier Zanetti later broke this record in 2011. Bergomi also scored 28 goals for Inter. He holds the record for the most appearances in the UEFA Cup, with 96 games.

Club Career Statistics

International Career: World Cup Winner

Bergomi had a very successful career with the Italian national team. He won the 1982 FIFA World Cup when he was just 18 years old. He also played in the 1986, 1990, and 1998 World Cups. This makes him one of only five Italian players to play in four World Cups.

He made his debut for Italy on 14 April 1982, when he was only 18 years and 3 months old. This made him the youngest Italian player to play for the national team after World War II. He was also the youngest Italian player ever called up for a World Cup. In the 1982 World Cup, he played in three games. This included a famous 3–2 win against Brazil. Italy went on to win the final against West Germany 3–1. At 18 years and 201 days, he was the second youngest player ever to win the World Cup, after Brazil's Pelé.

Bergomi also played in the 1986 World Cup. Italy was knocked out in the round of 16 by France.

He scored his first two goals for Italy in 1986 against Greece. He also wore the captain's armband for the first time in that game. From 1988 to 1991, Bergomi was Italy's captain for 33 games. As captain, he led Italy to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 1988. He was even chosen for the "Team of the Tournament."

In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, held in Italy, Bergomi captained his country to a third-place finish. Italy had an amazing defense, only letting in two goals in the whole tournament. They won five games in a row without letting in any goals. Italy lost in the semi-finals to Argentina in a penalty shootout. They then won the bronze medal match against England 2–1.

After a red card in a 1991 game, Bergomi was not called up to the national team for several years. However, he made a surprising return for the 1998 FIFA World Cup at age 34. This was because another player, Ciro Ferrara, was injured. Bergomi played three games in the tournament. His final international game was in the quarter-finals against hosts France, which Italy lost on penalties. This was his 81st and final game for Italy.

International Career Statistics

Scores and results list Italy's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Bergomi goal.

List of international goals scored by Giuseppe Bergomi

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition	Ref.
1	8 October 1986	Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy	Greece	1–0	2–0	Friendly
2				2–0
3	24 January 1987	Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Bergamo, Italy	Malta	2–0	5–0	UEFA Euro 1988 qualification
4	20 February 1988	Stadio della Vittoria, Bari, Italy	Soviet Union	4–1	4–1	Friendly
5	27 April 1988	Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg	Luxembourg	2–0	3–0	Friendly
6	22 February 1989	Arena Garibaldi, Pisa, Italy	Denmark	1–0	1–0	Friendly

Playing Style and Skills

Bergomi was a very flexible defender. He could play almost anywhere along the back of the field. He was mainly a right-back, but he could also play on the left, as a central defender, or even as a sweeper.

He was a quick, strong, and hard-working player. He was also good at heading the ball. As a full-back, he was known for his energy and for running up the field to help with attacks. He could also score goals and make assists with his good right foot and powerful shots.

Most importantly, Bergomi was excellent at marking other players. He was also praised for his good timing when tackling and his ability to predict plays.

Even though he was a tough tackler and sometimes got sent off, Bergomi was also known for his fairness and professionalism. This made him well-respected by his teammates, opponents, and coaches. He was seen as a "silent leader" on the field. In 2007, The Times newspaper even listed him as one of the 50 hardest football players ever.

Bergomi was a talented player from a young age, starting as a forward. He also played for a very long time. His experience, smart thinking, and ability to control the ball helped him stay a top player throughout his career.

Life After Football

After retiring as a player, Bergomi became a licensed football coach. In 2008, he started coaching youth teams at Inter Milan. He later coached youth teams at Monza and Atalanta.

Besides coaching, Bergomi also became a football pundit and commentator. He works for Italian satellite television Sky Italia. He often commentates on games with Fabio Caressa, including Italy's winning run at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Personal Life

Giuseppe Bergomi is married to Daniela. They have two children named Andrea and Sara.

In May 2020, Bergomi shared that he had recovered from COVID-19.

Honours and Awards

Inter Milan

• Serie A: 1988–89
• Coppa Italia: 1981–82
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1989
• UEFA Cup: 1990–91, 1993–94, 1997–98

Italy

• FIFA World Cup: 1982; third place: 1990

Individual Awards

• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1988
• Onze Mondial: 1989, 1990, 1991
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1990
• Pirata d'Oro (Inter Milan Player of the Year): 1990
• Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": 1997
• FIFA 100: 2004
• Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2016
• Inter Milan Hall of Fame: 2020
• One Club Man Award: 2024

Orders

• 
  4th Class / Officer: Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 1991

See also

In Spanish: Giuseppe Bergomi para niños