Italian football says goodbye to Bruno Bolchi, nicknamed Maciste, former player and coach who was the first ever Panini sticker star.
Bolchi died on Tuesday evening in Florence at the age of 82.
His playing career began at Inter when he was only 18, but already towering above most of his teammates in midfield.
He became captain at 21 and in his six years with the Nerazzurri won the 1963 Scudetto, going on to represent Verona, Atalanta, Torino and Pro Patria before his retirement in 1972.
Bolchi’s biggest claim to fame was being the first ever Panini sticker to be printed in 1961.
As a coach, he worked from 1972 to 2007, making his name largely with promotions, including taking Bari from Serie C1 to the top flight in successive campaigns, but also helping Cesena, Lecce and Reggina into Serie A.
Bolchi managed four senior caps for Italy as a player in their midfield.