Inter and Italy legend Giacinto Facchetti would have turned 75 today.
Known as one of the game’s first attacking full-backs, Facchetti was born in Treviglio on July 18, 1942.
Having spent his youth career with hometown club Trevigliese, the youngster was signed for Inter and redeployed on the left flank.
He became a key part of Helenio Herrera’s ‘Grande Inter’ side, providing a marauding attacking outlet for the famously conservative catenaccio system.
Inter and Italy legend Giacinto Facchetti would have turned 75 today.
Known as one of the game’s first attacking full-backs, Facchetti was born in Treviglio on July 18, 1942.
Having spent his youth career with hometown club Trevigliese, the youngster was signed for Inter and redeployed on the left flank.
He became a key part of Helenio Herrera’s ‘Grande Inter’ side, providing a marauding attacking outlet for the famously conservative catenaccio system.
In the 1965-66 season, Facchetti scored 10 Serie A goals for the Nerazzurri, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact the side scored only 70 in the whole season.
He spent his entire career with the Beneamata, winning four Scudetti, two European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and the Coppa Italia.
Facchetti was also an Italy legend, making 94 appearances for the Azzurri, which still has him placed eighth on the all-time list, between Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluca Zambrotta.
He helped his country to win the European Championships in 1968, and captained the side which was beaten 4-1 by Brazil in the World Cup final two years later.
Following his retirement, Facchetti remained at Inter and held various positions within the club, from technical director to President.
Facchetti died in September 2006 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, aged 64.
In total he made 629 appearances for Inter across 18 seasons, scoring 75 goals in all competitions.
Today the Nerazzurri have paid tribute to his memory, stating that no statistics could accurately portray “your moral stature, your elegance, your loyalty, your kindness and your humanity”.
The club describe Facchetti as “a role model who stands firm, constant and unshakeable” and state “you're still here with us”.