Roberto Boninsegna facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Roberto Boninsegna

Boninsegna in Rotterdam, 1974
Personal information
Date of birth	(1943-11-13) 13 November 1943 (age 81)
Place of birth	Mantua, Italy
Height	1.78 m
Playing position	Striker
Youth career
	Inter Milan
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1963–1964	Prato	22	(1)
1964–1965	Potenza	32	(9)
1965–1966	Varese	28	(5)
1966–1969	Cagliari	83	(23)
1967	→ Chicago Mustangs (American tour)	9	(10)
1969–1976	Inter Milan	197	(113)
1976–1979	Juventus	58	(22)
1979–1980	Verona	14	(3)
Total		443	(186)
National team
1967–1974	Italy	22	(9)
Honours Representing  Italy Men's Football FIFA World Cup Runner-up 1970 Mexico
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Roberto Boninsegna was an Italian professional footballer born on November 13, 1943. He was known for playing as a striker. After he stopped playing, he became a football manager. During his career, he played for the Italian national team in two World Cups. He even helped Italy reach the final in the 1970 World Cup.

Playing for Clubs

Roberto Boninsegna started his football journey in Serie B, which is the second-highest league in Italian football. He began with Prato in the 1963–64 season. After that, he played for Potenza and Varese.

Time with Cagliari

From 1966 to 1969, Boninsegna played for Cagliari. He helped his team finish second in the 1968–69 Serie A season. This was a great achievement for the club. In the summer of 1967, Cagliari's team, including Boninsegna, traveled to the United States. They played in a league called the United Soccer Association as the Chicago Mustangs. Boninsegna was the top scorer for the team, scoring 11 goals in just nine games.

Boninsegna scoring for Cagliari in the late 1960s

Success with Inter Milan

Boninsegna became a very effective striker when he joined Inter Milan in 1969. He played alongside another famous player, Sandro Mazzola. He scored a total of 171 goals in 281 games in Serie A, Italy's top league. He was the top goalscorer in Italy for two seasons in a row: 1970–71 and 1971–72. With Inter, he won the 1970–71 Serie A title. He also helped them reach the 1972 European Cup Final, but they lost to Ajax.

Moving to Juventus and Retirement

In 1976, Boninsegna moved to Juventus FC. He played there for three seasons. During his time with Juventus, he won two more Serie A titles. He also won a Coppa Italia (Italian Cup) and a UEFA Cup (a European competition). After leaving Juventus in 1979, he played his final season with Verona. He retired from professional football at the end of the 1979–80 Serie B season.

Playing for Italy

Boninsegna first played for the Italian national team on November 18, 1967. This was in a qualifying match for the UEFA Euro 1968 against Switzerland. Even though he played, he wasn't chosen for the main tournament, which Italy later won.

World Cup Appearances

Boninsegna played for Italy in two World Cups. His first was in 1970, and his second was in 1974. Overall, he scored 9 goals for Italy in 22 games.

The 1970 World Cup Final

Boninsegna was a key player for Italy in the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico. He scored two goals during the tournament. In the exciting semi-final match against West Germany, he scored a goal. He then helped set up Gianni Rivera's winning goal in extra time. This amazing game ended 4–3, sending Italy to the final. In the final against Brazil, Boninsegna scored Italy's only goal. However, Italy lost the match 4–1.

How Boninsegna Played

Boninsegna (right) playing for Inter Milan in 1974 against his rival, the juventino and future teammate Francesco Morini.

Roberto Boninsegna was a strong, quick, and athletic striker. He was known for being very good at scoring goals and smart inside the penalty area. He scored many goals and was excellent at heading the ball, even though he wasn't very tall. He was also fast, had good energy, and was very consistent. These qualities made him one of the best Italian forwards of his time.

A sports journalist named Gianni Brera gave him the nickname "Bonimba." This was because of his amazing jumping ability and how powerful and accurate he was with his head. Sometimes, people said he was a bit selfish on the field. However, he could also create chances for his teammates. He was also famous for his rivalry with Juventus defender Francesco Morini. Later, Morini even became his teammate!

Achievements and Awards

Roberto Boninsegna won many titles and awards during his football career.

Club Trophies

• Inter Milan
  • Serie A: 1970–71

• Juventus
  • Serie A: 1976–77, 1977–78
  • Coppa Italia: 1978–79
  • UEFA Cup: 1976–77

International Achievements

• Italy
  • FIFA World Cup runner-up: 1970

Individual Awards

• Serie A top scorer: 1970–71, 1971–72
• Coppa Italia top scorer: 1971–72
• United Soccer Association top scorer: 1967
• Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2023

Images for kids

• 

  Boninsegna in Rotterdam, 1974