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 (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s)	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)
International career
1967–1974	Italy	22	(9)
Medal record Representing  Italy Men's Football FIFA World Cup Runner-up 1970 Mexico
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Roberto Boninsegna, born on November 13, 1943, is a famous Italian former football player. He was known for being a powerful forward, scoring many goals. After he stopped playing, he became a football manager. He played for Italy in two World Cups, even reaching the final in 1970.

Playing for Clubs

Roberto Boninsegna started his football journey in Italy's second division, called Serie B. He played for a team named Prato in the 1963–64 season. After that, he moved to Potenza for the 1964–65 season. He also played for Varese in 1965–66.

Time at Cagliari

From 1966 to 1969, Boninsegna played for Cagliari. He helped them finish second in the top Italian league, Serie A, during the 1968–69 season. In the summer of 1967, Cagliari's team, including Boninsegna, traveled to the United States. They played in a league there as the Chicago Mustangs. Boninsegna was their top scorer, getting 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 was one of the best goal scorers in Italy. He was the top goal scorer in Serie A for two seasons in a row, in 1970–71 and 1971–72. With Inter, he helped the team win the Serie A title in 1970–71. They also reached the final of the European Cup in 1972, but they lost to Ajax.

Moving to Juventus and Retirement

In 1976, Boninsegna moved to Juventus. He played there for three seasons. During his time at Juventus, he won two more Serie A titles. He also won the Coppa Italia, which is Italy's main cup competition. Plus, he helped them win the UEFA Cup, a big European tournament. After leaving Juventus in 1979, he played his final season with Verona in Serie B. He retired from professional football at the end of the 1979–80 season.

Playing for Italy

Roberto Boninsegna first played for the Italian national team on November 18, 1967. This was in a qualifying match for the European Championship against Switzerland. Even though he played, he wasn't chosen for the final tournament in 1968, which Italy ended up winning. He played in two World Cups for Italy: in 1970 and 1974. Overall, he scored 9 goals for Italy in 22 games.

1970 FIFA World Cup

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

His Football Style

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

Roberto Boninsegna was known as a powerful, quick, and acrobatic striker. He was very good at finishing chances and was 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. He was sometimes criticized for being a bit selfish with the ball. However, he could also create chances for his teammates. He had a famous rivalry on the field with Juventus defender Francesco Morini, who later became his teammate.

Trophies and Awards

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

• Inter Milan
  • Serie A: 1970–71

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

• 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

See also

In Spanish: Roberto Boninsegna para niños