Top facts about Giacinto Facchetti, Cipe

Giacinto Facchetti (18 July 1942 – 4 September 2006) was an Italian player who represented

as a left-back from 1960 to 1978. From January 2004 until his passing in 2006, he stood as Inter chairman.

Giacinto Facchetti’s age

was 64 at the time of his death. Here you can find out the most important facts about Giacinto Facchetti, the Inter legend.

The first fact about Giacinto Facchetti is that he appeared in 634 official matches for the team, netting 75 goals, and was a part of the "Grande Inter" squad that achieved 4 Serie A championships, a Coppa Italia, two European Cups, and two Intercontinental Cups under Coach Helenio Herrera. In 1965, he finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting.

Facchetti played for Italy in 94 international matches, including 3 FIFA World Cups. He was also named to the All-Star Squad for the 1970 World Cup, in which Italy finished second. He was also the captain of the Italian team that won Italy's very first UEFA European Cup on home soil in 1968, and was named to the tournament's best team.

An important fact about Giacinto Facchetti is that he is regarded as one of the first really outstanding attacking full-backs in the game. Because of his speed, skill, intellect, physique, and stamina, he is considered one of the greatest football players of all time at his position.

In Inter's defensive ‘Catenaccio’ or ‘The Chain’ style and with the Italian national team, he established a strong defensive combination with fellow full-back Tarcisio Burgnich. Facchetti was praised for his discipline and leadership off the field as well, and he led both Inter Milan and Italy for many years.

As part of FIFA's 100th anniversary events, Pelé voted him one of the Top 125 best living players in March 2004. He was admitted into the Italian Sports Hall of Fame posthumously in 2015.

Top facts about Giacinto Facchetti:

Facchetti had made his international debut for Italy in 1963, and had gone on to form a formidable full-back partnership with Tarcisio Burgnich. His performance in a historic win against Pelé's Brazil at San Siro has earned him a place among the game's all-time greats.

The 1966 World Cup in England would be his first big event for the Gli Azzurri. After being sensationally defeated by North Korea in the biggest World Cup upset of all time, he would subsequently apologize to an English journalist who had dubbed him the world's finest defender for his lack of form.

Giacinto Facchetti early life

Speaking about

Giacinto Facchetti’s parents

, it should be mentioned that he was born in Treviglio, to a railway worker father and housewife mother

In the peaceful northern village of Treviglio, in the province of Bergamo, Facchetti's amazing tale started. Facchetti started his playing career as a center-forward with local team CS Trevigliene, and was subsequently praised by his old instructors for being a good student who worked hard in class and aspired to be a doctor.

Regarding

Giacinto Facchetti’s childhood

, it is worth mentioning that he applied himself with remarkable success as a young striker, preferring to fire from all distances with his rocket of a right foot, just as he did in the classroom. His work ethic was apparent from an early age, and he soon turned his attention to a career in calcio.

Giacinto Facchetti personal life

Giacinto Facchetti had married Giovanna Facchetti and had four children with her. A plaza in Cesano Maderno, Metropolitan City of Milan, was dedicated in honor of Giacinto Facchetti on September 22, 2008.

Along with compatriots Bruno Conti, Gianni Rivera, and Franco Baresi, Facchetti is included in FIFA 14's Classic XI — a multi-national all-star squad.

Giacinto Facchetti professional career

Giacinto Facchetti initially played as a forward at youth level with local side Trevigliese, but when Internazionale coach Helenio Herrera brought him into the professional game in the 1960-61 season, he converted Facchetti into a defender.

Giacinto Facchetti club career

An important fact about Giacinto Facchetti is that he started his career as a striker with his local club, Trevigliese, in the Province of Bergamo (Lombardy), owing to his speed, powerful shot, and skill. Due to his toned body, power, and combating ability, in addition to his aggressive attributes, he was quickly noticed by Inter supervisor Helenio Herrera, who initiated him in Serie A in the late 1960–61 period as an attacking full-back on the left.

Inter Milan

A notable fact about Giacinto Facchetti is that he made his team and top-flight debut on May 21, 1961, in a 2–0 away win over

. Facchetti ultimately evolved into one of the most successful defenders in Italian football, establishing a famous defensive combination with another Italian full-back Burgnich.

Facchetti's inventive style of play as one of the first European intersecting full-backs, incorporating hard protecting with offensive prowess, was instrumental in Herrera's "Grande Inter" side's defensive, yet counter-attacking "catenaccio" system, which dominated Italian, European, and World Football in the 1960s.

While admitting few goals defensively, Facchetti was also capable of contributing offensively with countless goals and assists. With 10 goals scored during the 1965–66 season, he maintained the record for most goals scored by a defender in a single Serie A season until Marco Materazzi broke it in the 2000–01 season.

An important

fact about Giacinto Facchetti

is that he spent his whole professional career at Inter, eventually captaining the team after Armando Picchi, Mario Corso, and Sandro Mazzola in 1977–78.

Facchetti led his club to four scudetti (1963, 1965, 1966, and 1971), one Italian Cup (1978), two European Cups (1964 and 1965), and two Intercontinental Cups (1964 and 1965).

Facchetti barely lost out on being the first defender to win the Ballon d'Or, finishing second in 1965, when Inter almost missed out on a treble-winning season; Inter won Serie A and the European Cup, but were beaten by Juventus in the 1965 Coppa Italia final. With 59 goals in Serie A, Facchetti is the most productive defender in the league's history.

Giacinto Facchetti international career

A notable

fact about Giacinto Facchetti

is that he made his Italy debut on March 23, 1963, in a 1–0 away victory against

in a European qualification. Between 1963 and 1977, he was capped 94 times (a number only

,

, Fabio Cannavaro, and Gianluigi Buffon have since surpassed), wearing the captain's armband 70 times, and scored three goals.

He is now his country's ninth-highest appearance holder. He represented his nation in the FIFA World Cups in 1966, 1970, and 1974, captaining Italy in the last two tournaments.

Facchetti also captained the Italian team to victory at Euro 1968, wearing the number 10 shirt, after advancing to the finals by correctly calling the coin toss following extra time against the Soviet Union, then winning the final 2–0 in a replay match against Yugoslavia, and being named to the Team of the Tournament.

He was also selected to the 1970 World Cup Side of the Tournament, when he helped his team reach the final, only to be beaten 4–1 by Brazil.

Giacinto Facchetti style of play

Facchetti's speed, endurance, authority, and outstanding tangible and conceptual traits permitted him to prosper as an aggressive full-back or wing-back.

A veteran forward and midfielder, he was recognized for his ability to make assault runs down the left flank and get into good offensive positions in the area, allowing him to either achieve or assist goals, due to his potent shot and crossing ability, and was known for his tende to make attacking runs.

An important fact about Giacinto Facchetti is that he was widely respected for his capacity with either foot, as well as his distribution and ball control; he also enjoyed success defensively, playing as a sweeper as he lost some of his speed later in his profession, due to his technical skills, allocation, intelligence, and ability to read the game or start plays from the back.

He was a bright talent in his childhood, but he also distinguished out later in his career for his longevity. In addition to his footballing skill, he was renowned for his on-pitch proper behavior and leadership; he was only sent off once in his whole career, for sarcastically thanking the referee.

Giacinto Facchetti after retirement

Facchetti had a number of roles at Inter Milan throughout the years, including technical director, board member, global ambassador, and vice-chairman.

Following the departure of former president Massimo Moratti, Facchetti was named chairman of Inter on January 19, 2004. He died of pancreatic cancer in Milan on September 4, 2006, after a lengthy illness. Giovanna, his wife, and their four children survive him.

Giacinto Facchetti legacy

As part of FIFA's 100th anniversary celebrations,

named Facchetti one of the Top 125 best living players in March 2004.

Following his death in 2006, Facchetti was designated one of the Golden Foot's "Football Legends" of the year, as well as receiving the FIFA Presidential Award.

Some people may be surprised to learn that Facchetti began his football career as a striker. Giacinto was a striker for his local club Trevigliese, with whom he played from 1956 to 1960.

Later that year, the Premio internazionale Giacinto Facchetti was created in his honor, and it is now given yearly to a football celebrity who stands out for their honesty, proper behavior, and sportsmanship.

Facchetti's name was also incorporated in the Campionato Nazionale Primavera's formal renaming to Campionato Primavera Tim - Trofeo Giacinto Facchetti following his death.

Inter, his previous club, retired the number 3 jersey in his honor after his death. He was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame posthumously in 2015.

The greatest legacy in football is reserved for those who forge their way into legend. Managers and players alike are regarded in the most laudatory terms for their part in permanently altering the path of football. It's a lengthy list, with names like Michels, Cruyff, Pelé, and

holding on to their legendary status.

It's odd, however, that Giacinto Facchetti is often ignored outside of Italy when the best, most pioneering, era-defining players are discussed. This was a guy who, above all, played the game with immaculate passion and integrity; a man who, as a full-back, was decades ahead of his time, scoring 75 goals in over 600 games for a mainly defensive Inter Milan.

Some, like the famous Helenio Herrera, consider Facchetti to be the greatest captain of all time. Helenio Herrera, who used to search the surrounding areas for indigenous talent to integrate into his embryonic Inter dynasty, saw Facchetti playing in a youth event not long after. Facchetti would turn out to be his most valuable purchase.

Herrera, who was signed with the aim of playing as a fullback, worked with Facchetti on the defensive aspect of his game, and was undoubtedly astonished at how fast he understood the concept of catenaccio.

Full-back was, without a doubt, one of the most difficult positions to play in the system, requiring constant attention as well as the ability to wisely choose when to go forward and participate in the counter-attack.

Facchetti was a revelation at full-back, which came as no surprise to those who knew his capacity to dedicate himself and strive towards a defined goal. He scored in just his second game, against

in 1961, and the media lauded him for his tackling skills, physique, speed, and offensive brilliance.

He was the epitome of a contemporary full-back, only it was the 1960s, and most top-level defenders did nothing but defend. Not Facchetti, who soon rose to become the club's first choice left-back, earning a reputation as a leader and organizer throughout Europe.

Herrera wanted to give his prized asset ample time to mold his new role inside the Inter system, thus he made 15 appearances in his first full season while still learning the position.

It was a brilliant strategy, and Inter soon became known as 'Grande Inter,' sweeping away all opponents and dominating the national and continental game for the following decade. Facchetti, the manager's manager on the field, was in the center of it all.

He helped Inter win their first scudetto in nine years in 1963, when he was already the best offensive full-back in the league, proving to be the spark for numerous assaults and scoring four goals in the league. Most importantly, he played a key part in their only conceding 20 goals in 34 league games.

So many aggressive full-backs nowadays might learn from Facchetti's defensive abilities. "A defender must be able to defend," he said Gazzetta dello Sport in 1999. It is critical to assist in the assault and get a numerical advantage, but a defense must maintain everything in order. You're simply a winger out of position if you can't do that.”

With automatic qualifying for next season's European Cup secured, Herrera set about conquering Europe and emulating their local rivals AC Milan's success by winning the club game's most coveted trophy.

Herrera's Inter were ideally equipped to take on all those who awaited them at an age when the format was a pure knock-out. They sat deep, confidently absorbed up pressure, and then pounced on the break, using the creative genius of Sandro Mazzola, Mario Corso, and Luis Suárez.

Inter faced Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid in the European Cup final of 1964. Alfredo Di Stéfano,

, and Paco Gento - the most feared front line in Europe at the time – were part of Miguel Muoz's team.

When Inter countered, Muoz's plan was to use his forwards' ability, speed, and deception to attack the wide areas. Facchetti, on the other hand, had a different plan.

Many people voted Facchetti man of the match because of his attacking prowess, but it was his defensive effort — daring, courageous, and aggressive – that had the press buzzing afterwards. He kept his play tight and near to his center defenders, nullifying Real Madrid's soon-to-be famous front line's ephemeral feet.

Inter was nicknamed 'Grande Inter' after a 3-1 win in Vienna, a title derived from Ernest Erbstein and Valentino Mazzola's 'Grande Torino' team. In 1965, the team repeated the feat, defeating Eusebio's Benfica 1-0 thanks to a single Jair goal. Facchetti had previously won two European titles at the age of 22.

Facchetti was at his most deadly in 1965-66. He helped Inter win the scudetto for the second time, scoring 12 goals in 38 games across all competitions and proving more important in attack than defense this time.

His speed was putting opposing full-backs to the test, and his ability to cut inside and shoot was forcing teams to change their form to keep him in check. Opponents were racking their brains about how to stop Inter's left-back, which speaks volumes about his ability.

The next season, 1966-67, would be the most trying of Herrera's Inter tenure. Facchetti's attention shifted to the European Cup final in Lisbon against Celtic after losing the Serie A championship to a miserly Juventus, who scored only 44 goals in 34 games.

After scoring both at home and away against CSKA Sofia to help the Nerazzurri reach the final, a chance for a hat-trick of European championships was on the table. Unfortunately for the guy who was the pin-up boy of Italian football, his excellent features and perfect hair earning him a slew of female fans, Jock Stein's Celtic had other plans and won a game that earned them the moniker "Lisbon Lions."

Facchetti would have to wait another 12 months for his finest moment in football after finishing the season without a trophy.

Some quick facts about Giacinto Facchetti:

A notable fact about Giacinto Facchetti is that he was a gentleman in every sense of the word. Facchetti maintained his modesty and decency despite his achievements, his persistent marauds forward, and his tight, harsh defense. He had the elegance and honesty of a cricketer, never allowing personal wealth to take precedence above professional ethics.

Facchetti, who had been captain of the national team for nearly two years, would lead Italy to their biggest triumph at the European Championships in 1968.

Despite being derided for having just four teams, Facchetti would go away with the lone trophy of his international career at Euro 68. Facchetti won the Euro championship with a 2-0 win against Yugoslavia in the tournament final, putting them on the road to Mexico 70, one of the greatest World Cup finals ever.

An important

fact about Giacinto Facchetti

is that he had established himself as the Azzurri's renowned leader, tasked with leading the likes of Gigi Riva, Gianni Rivera, Dino Zoff, Pierino Prati, and Sandro Mazzola to the championship. Italy met hosts Mexico in the quarter-final after advancing from the group stage with a 1-0 win against Sweden.

A Gigi Riva-led Italy advanced, with Facchetti providing strong defensive leadership and plenty of offensive opportunities in the final third. His speed, strength, and aggressiveness had no equal in Mexico.

The match of the tournament took place in the semi-finals, when Italy faced Europe's best team at the time, West Germany. With Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller,

, and Berti Vogts among their ranks, Italy's Squadra defeated Germany's Mannschaft 4-3 in extra-time in front of 102,000 spectators at the Azteca. For many, this is the most important World Cup match of all time. According to FIFA, it was the ultimate test of "endurance and will."

Facchetti's performance is a sight to see in retrospect. Facchetti played like a man on a mission in a contest that lasted two hours in the scorching heat of Mexico City. He never stopped sprinting, and his struggle to maintain Italy on the offensive pushed the Germans back. He was often chatting to his defense and those in front of him. And he didn't give up.

A notable fact about Giacinto Facchetti is that he led his close-knit team to the World Cup final, where they would confront the power of Pelé's Brazil, with his trademark confidence and courageous poise.

Brazil romped to a 4-1 win in what was arguably the most one-sided final between two really great sides, their Samba flair in attack, reinforced by two astonishingly superb full-backs of their own, being too much for Facchetti & co.

Despite being tied at 1-1 for 30 minutes, Italy never had a chance to win the game. Brazil controlled the ball, took advantage of the circumstances, and humiliated Italy. After the final, an ever-gracious Facchetti complimented Brazil, showing his class even under the most trying of circumstances, “Brazil are the true champions, and they deserve this victory.”

I applaud them, but my colleagues deserve it much more. We sacrificed everything for our country, but we must give credit to our adversaries. "This is a game."

Facchetti would manage Italy until 1977, leading his country to a disappointing finals appearance in 1974, when they were defeated by a strong Poland team.

Despite Italy's 2-0 defeat, his last game was against England at Wembley in 1977, in which he played excellently as a 36-year-old libero.

Facchetti would leave with 94 caps to his credit, but more significantly, the respect and love of the football world. He was fondly remembered for his many years as Azzurri captain.

His remarkable consistency for Italy during a 14-year span with the national team earned him a place among the greatest full-backs of his generation and subsequently in history. His elegance and honesty, which set him apart from so many other greats, were only matched by his skill and determination.

Facchetti's illustrious career at Inter lasted until 1978, when he won the scudetto for the second time in 1971 and the Coppa Italia in his last season. They'd be added to his impressive collection of two European Cups and two Intercontinental titles.

In 1965, Facchetti was one of the few defenders to finish in the top three of the Ballon d'Or voting, finishing second behind

's Eusébio. He was admitted into the Italian Hall of Fame after making the World Cup All-Star squad in 1970, a suitable resting place for Italy's most renowned player, a defender who was only sent off once in his career.

Later in his career, Facchetti would return to the club for which he had played 629 games, first as a coach, then as sports director and president. The club retired his iconic number 3 shirt in his honor, and he remained on the payroll until his death in 2006.

He died a legend, a guy whose skill was so beautifully complemented by his human characteristics, having inspired a generation of Italian defenders, most notably Paolo Maldini, who has talked at length about Facchetti's effect on his career.

"He was the finest figure on the field and off it," said Sandro Mazzola, Facchetti's close friend and colleague for almost a decade at Inter Milan and with Italy. A fitting tribute to a guy who deserves to be mentioned with Beckenbauer, Cruyff, Pelé, and

.

Giacinto Facchetti social media

Regarding

Giacinto Facchetti social media

, it should be mentioned that he did not have any pages on any social media platforms.

Giacinto Facchetti body measurements

Speaking about

Giacinto Facchetti body measurements

, it should be mentioned that the former star was 191 cm and 86 kg.

Giacinto Facchetti net worth and salary

Giacinto Facchetti’s net worth

or net income was believed to be between $9 million and $10 million dollars. From his main profession as a soccer player, he had amassed a substantial fortune.

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