Marco Tardelli facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Marco Tardelli

Tardelli in 2016
Personal information
Full name	Marco Tardelli
Date of birth	(1954-09-24) 24 September 1954 (age 70)
Place of birth	Capanne di Careggine, Italy
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder, defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1972–1974	Pisa	41	(4)
1974–1975	Como	36	(2)
1975–1985	Juventus	259	(35)
1985–1987	Internazionale	43	(2)
1987–1988	St. Gallen	14	(0)
Total		393	(43)
International career
1976–1986	Italy	81	(6)
Managerial career
1988–1990	Italy U16
1990–1993	Italy U21 (assistant)
1993–1995	Como
1995–1996	Cesena
1997–2000	Italy U21
2000–2001	Inter Milan
2002–2003	Bari
2004	Egypt
2005–2008	Arezzo
2008–2013	Republic of Ireland (assistant)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Italy (as player) FIFA World Cup Winner 1982 Spain Representing  Italy (as manager) UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2000 Slovakia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Marco Tardelli is a famous Italian former football player and manager. He was born on September 24, 1954. He played as a midfielder for several Italian clubs, including Pisa, Como, Juventus, and Internazionale. He finished his playing career with the Swiss club St. Gallen.

Tardelli had a very successful time with Juventus. He won five Italian league titles, many Coppa Italia cups, and four major European competitions. These included the European Cup, Cup Winner's Cup, UEFA Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. He was one of the first three players ever to win all three main UEFA club competitions, along with his teammates Antonio Cabrini and Gaetano Scirea.

He also achieved great success with the Italian national team. He played in three FIFA World Cups (1978, 1982, and 1986). He helped Italy win the 1982 World Cup. His goal celebration in the 1982 final is one of the most famous moments in World Cup history. He ran, shaking his fists, with tears in his eyes, shouting "Gol! Gol!"

Many people consider Tardelli one of Italy's best midfielders. He was known for being energetic, tackling hard, and having great skill. He could help both in attack and defense. In 2015, he was added to the Italian Football Hall of Fame.

After retiring as a player, Tardelli became a manager. He coached Italy's Under-16 team and later was an assistant for the Under-21 team. He also managed several clubs in Italy. He led the Italian Under-21 team to win the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. From 2008 to 2013, he was an assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland national football team.

Playing Career Highlights

Marco Tardelli started his football journey in 1972 with Pisa in Italy's third division. Two years later, he moved to Como in the second division. In October 1975, he joined the famous club Juventus.

Success with Juventus

Tardelli played for Juventus for ten years and had amazing success. He became one of the first three players to win all three major European club competitions. These were the UEFA Cup in 1977, the Cup Winners' Cup in 1984, and the European Cup in 1985.

With Juventus, he also won five Italian league championships and two Coppa Italia titles. He also won the 1984 UEFA Super Cup. He scored an important goal in the 1977 UEFA Cup final that helped Juventus win their first European title.

In total, Tardelli played 376 games for Juventus and scored 51 goals. He left Juventus in 1985 and played for Internazionale until 1987. He finished his career in 1988 after playing one season with the Swiss team St. Gallen.

International Football for Italy

Tardelli (center) celebrates with Roberto Bettega and Enzo Bearzot, manager of the Italy national team, after a victory over England in November 1976.

Marco Tardelli played his first game for the Italian national team on April 7, 1976, against Portugal. He played in the 1978 World Cup and the 1980 European Championship. In both tournaments, Italy reached the semi-finals and finished fourth. Tardelli was even named in the team of the tournament for Euro 1980.

Winning the 1982 World Cup

Tardelli played a key role in Italy's victory at the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He scored two goals during the tournament. His first goal was in a second-round game against Argentina.

His most famous goal was in the final against West Germany. He scored with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area. After scoring, he ran towards the Italian bench with tears in his eyes, shaking his fists and shouting "Gol! Gol!" This celebration is known as the "Tardelli cry." It is one of the most memorable moments from Italy's 1982 World Cup win.

Tardelli later said about that moment:

"After I scored, my whole life passed before me – the same feeling they say you have when you are about to die, the joy of scoring in a World Cup final was immense, something I dreamed about as a kid, and my celebration was a release after realising that dream. I was born with that scream inside me, that was just the moment it came out."

He played a total of 81 games for Italy. His last game for the national team was in September 1985 against Norway. He was also Italy's captain between 1983 and 1985. He was part of the squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, but he did not play in any matches. He stopped playing football in 1988.

How He Played Football

Tardelli in action with Bianconeri in the summer 1975

Marco Tardelli was known as a very energetic and strong midfielder. He was also very skilled with the ball. He could play both in defense, winning the ball back, and in attack, helping to score goals. He was a well-rounded player and one of the best midfielders of his time.

He was quick, determined, and had good control of the ball. Many people consider him one of the greatest Italian midfielders ever. He was known for his smart play and how hard he worked on the field. He could play in many different midfield positions.

Even though he was mainly known for his speed and defensive skills, he also had a powerful shot. He could kick and pass the ball well with both feet, even though he was naturally right-footed. His Juventus teammate Luciano Spinosi gave him the nickname Schizzo, which means "splash" or "dash," because of his speed and slim build. Tardelli was also a great leader on the field.

Coaching Career

After he stopped playing, Marco Tardelli began his coaching career in 1988. He started as the head coach for the Italy Under-16 national team. Two years later, he became an assistant coach for the Under-21 team.

In 1993, he became the coach of Como. He helped Como get promoted to the second division, but they were later relegated. In 1995, he took over Cesena, another team in the second division.

Leading the Italy U21 Team

Tardelli spent three seasons with Cesena before becoming the head coach of the Italian Under-21 team. He led them to win the 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He also coached the Italian team at the 2000 Summer Olympics, where they reached the quarter-finals.

His success with the Under-21 team led him to become the manager of Internazionale for the 2000–01 season. However, his time there was short. After some difficult losses, he left the club in June 2001.

Tardelli then coached other teams like Bari, the Egyptian national team, and Arezzo.

Assistant Coach for Ireland

Tardelli (left) in his role as Republic of Ireland assistant manager, near Giovanni Trapattoni, in September 2013.

In February 2008, he joined the coaching staff of the Republic of Ireland national football team as an assistant manager to Giovanni Trapattoni. He worked with his former Juventus teammate Liam Brady, who was also an assistant. Tardelli left the Republic of Ireland national team on September 11, 2013.

Personal Life

Marco Tardelli grew up in a working-class family. He was the youngest of four children. His father worked for a road company, and his mother was a housewife. When he was in high school, he worked as a waiter during the summers to earn money. He also earned a diploma in surveying.

Tardelli has two children. His daughter, Sara, is a journalist. His son, Nicola, is a model. Since 2016, Tardelli has been in a relationship with journalist Myrta Merlino.

Honours and Awards

As a Player

Juventus

• Serie A: 1976–77, 1977–78, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1983–84
• Coppa Italia: 1978–79, 1982–83
• European Cup: 1984–85
• UEFA Cup: 1976–77
• UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1983–84
• UEFA Super Cup: 1984

Tardelli's FIFA XI kit, on display at the Museo del Calcio in Florence.

Italy

• FIFA World Cup: 1982

Individual Awards

• UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: Ranked 37th
• FIFA XI: 1979
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1980
• Italian Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2015

As a Coach

Italy U21

• Mediterranean Games: 1997
• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2000

Images for kids

• 

  Tardelli's No.14 Italy shirt

See also

In Spanish: Marco Tardelli para niños