Infantino's Secret Childhood Crush: Inter's Beccalossi, the No.10 Who Sparked Forbidden Dreams!
FIFA President Gianni Infantino names Inter legend Evaristo Beccalossi as one of his childhood idols, crediting the creative No.10 for sparking dreams during his youth. He reflects on icons like Paolo Rossi, Maradona, Pelé, and modern stars such as Messi and Ronaldo, while praising Spain's football heritage. Infantino also eyes expansions for the Club World Cup to boost global club competition.
Infantino Spills the Beans on His Boyhood Heroes
Imagine a wide-eyed Gianni Infantino, not yet the FIFA big boss, but a spotty 12-year-old glued to the telly during Italy's 1982 World Cup triumph. In a chat with AS – as reported by Lorenzo Bettoni at Football Italia – the FIFA President has dropped a gem: his first football crush was Inter legend Evaristo Beccalossi. Yeah, that No.10 who lit up San Siro but never quite cracked Italy's senior squad.
Infantino reckons Beccalossi 'made us dream and sometimes… also some things that can’t be said.' Cheeky! We're talking pure magic on the pitch, the kind that had fans – young Gianni included – hearts racing in ways the FA might not approve of. Picture those silky skills, the vision, the sheer cheek of it all. Beccalossi racked up 37 goals in 217 games for the Nerazzurri from 1978-84, a creative spark who sadly got overlooked by the Azzurri gaffer.
From San Siro Dreams to Global Icons
Infantino's love affair with the game didn't stop at Inter. That '82 Spain World Cup? 'Spectacular,' he gushes. Paolo Rossi leading the charge, the whole Italian squad etching themselves into his heart. And don't get him started on Alessandro Altobelli's third goal in the final against West Germany – that celebration? Pure pandemonium.
Fast-forward to the '80s and '90s, and it's Diego Maradona time. 'An idol, a phenomenon,' says Infantino. No protection for players back then – just raw genius dodging tackles like a matador. Then there's Pelé, the pre-social media king who still captivates kids today without a single YouTube highlight. Blimey, that's legacy.
And Ronaldo Nazário? 'Ninety per cent of players say he was the strongest they faced.' Phenomenal doesn't cover it – explosive, unplayable, the lot. Infantino's got a soft spot for these titans who bent the game to their will.
Modern Maestros and the Club World Cup Vision
These days? Easy choice: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo still rule the roost. But shout-out to Spain's 2010 World Cup winners – Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas, Puyol, the lot. Mates now, apparently, alongside coaches like Vicente del Bosque, Luis Aragonés, and Pep Guardiola. 'They wrote football history,' beams Infantino. 'We're grateful to Spain.'
Looking ahead, he's buzzing about the expanded Club World Cup. 'Club football's the foundation,' he insists. More games at club level than internationals, so why not a proper global showdown? It's been a hit already, and they're plotting upgrades – maybe 32 teams, maybe more. Venue TBD, post-2026 World Cup chats incoming. Big clubs from Europe and the Americas dominate, but this levels the pitch for the rest of the world.
Infantino's passion shines through, blending nostalgia with forward-thinking. From Beccalossi's wink-and-a-nod dreams to a borderless club spectacle, it's a reminder why we love this mad game. Who's your first idol? Mine's still causing therapy bills.
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