In the pantheon of Italian football, some names echo with the grandeur of triumphs, others with the poignancy of near misses, and a rare few with the sheer resilience of a career that spanned both the golden age and the dramatic shifts of the beautiful game. Aldo Serena, a man whose journey from the factory floor to the grandest stages of European football, and finally to a revered spot in the commentary box, encapsulates this rich tapestry. His story is not just one of goals and trophies, but of identity mix-ups, rock concerts, feuding club executives, and the very human drama that unfolds behind the roar of the crowd.
The Boy Who Was Born Antonio but Became Aldo
Even before he laced up his first pair of boots, Aldo Serena`s life began with a touch of narrative flair. Born Antonio, his grandmother, with a quiet act of familial devotion, registered him as Aldo – the name of his recently departed grandfather. This charming mix-up wasn`t unveiled until his first day of primary school, a revelation that set the tone for a career filled with unexpected turns. Growing up in Montebelluna, in the province of Treviso, the young Serena`s afternoons weren`t spent idly. From the tender age of eight, he was an apprentice in his uncle’s factory, crafting sturdy mountain boots. This hands-on experience, far from the polished fields of professional football, instilled in him a work ethic and a steely resolve that would become his hallmark.
His early footballing passions were equally nuanced. Despite being a fervent Inter fan, a failed tryout at Milanello gifted him a signed poster of Gianni Rivera, the legendary Milan icon. His childhood heroes weren`t the textbook perfect players; instead, he admired the “irregulars” – those mavericks who played with their socks down, like George Best, Gigi Meroni, Gabriele Oriali, and the Swedish giant Ralf Edström. It was perhaps this unconventional inspiration that fueled his own unique skill: an extraordinary aerial ability, honed, he claims, by countless hours playing basketball in the local oratory. His 1.87m frame might have been “too short” for the hoop dreams of becoming a Cosic or Dalipagic, but it was perfectly poised to dominate the penalty box.
From Agnelli`s Witty Jabs to Berlusconi`s Grand Ambitions
Serena`s prowess in the air caught the eye of none other than Gianni Agnelli, the legendary head of Fiat and a driving force behind Juventus. Agnelli, known for his sharp wit, famously quipped that Serena was “strong from the waist up.” A playful jab, perhaps, but one that prompted Juve president Giampiero Boniperti to assure Serena that Agnelli`s perception would change. Indeed, it did. Agnelli soon became an early-morning caller, phoning Serena between 5:30 and 6 AM, eager for insights and team gossip – a peculiar ritual many players endured, or perhaps, cherished.
His transfer to Juventus in 1985 was another chapter laced with characteristic Serena charm. While on loan at Torino, Inter president Ernesto Pellegrini called for a crucial meeting. Serena, however, had a prior engagement: Bruce Springsteen`s first concert in Italy. A true rock fan, he famously skipped the Boss`s encores to rush to Pellegrini’s home, only to be ambushed by journalists. The news? He was being traded to Juventus for Marco Tardelli. A moment of rock `n` roll sacrifice for football destiny.
Serena`s career saw him traverse the hallowed grounds of Inter, Juventus, and AC Milan, offering him a unique vantage point on the evolving landscape of Italian football. His first stint at Milan in 1982, following the club`s second relegation to Serie B, was a masterclass in the absurd. Under the chaotic management of Giussy Farina, Milanello, the club`s famed training ground, was occasionally rented out for wedding parties, forcing the team to retreat to a city hotel. Serena recalls being replaced by Luther Blissett, an English striker whose technique was so “uncertain” he reportedly failed to impress coach Ilario Castagner.
His return to Milan under Silvio Berlusconi, however, unveiled a dramatically different club. Milanello was transformed into a “flowery park,” boasting state-of-the-art facilities, a medical staff trained by the Chicago Bulls` experts – a testament to Berlusconi`s unprecedented vision. While he enjoyed a good relationship with coach Fabio Capello, his interactions with CEO Adriano Galliani were, shall we say, spirited. Serena recounts a time Galliani called a live TV show, Controcampo, to furiously dispute his critical commentary, threatening to ban him from San Siro. Serena, ever cool, continued to enter the stadium “as always.”
Italia `90: The Marble Legs and the Blackout
The 1990 World Cup on home soil, Italia `90, proved to be a career-defining paradox for Serena. He scored a crucial goal against Uruguay, but it was the semi-final against Argentina that would haunt him. Never a designated penalty taker, the pressure fell upon him during the shootout. He describes the agonizing walk to the spot, his legs turning to “marble,” the goal shrinking, and the formidable Goycochea growing impossibly large. Battling an “attack of panic,” he aimed for precision but lacked the conviction, and the shot was saved.
“I precipitate into a total darkness. I don`t remember anything of the hours that followed; my memory restarts from the third-place final against England in Bari.”
This raw confession speaks volumes about the immense psychological burden placed on footballers. Serena, understanding this profoundly, defends players who refuse to take penalties, recognizing that true courage lies in knowing one`s limits. Ironically, he had scored a penalty for Juventus in the 1985 Intercontinental Cup, but then, he had been prepared. At Italia `90, fate intervened without warning.
Amidst the high stakes, moments of quiet wisdom emerged. Playing with Michel Platini at Juventus, Serena once expressed his joy at having such a brilliant playmaker behind him. Platini, with characteristic wit, responded: “You know I wanted you here because I’d like you to head the ball back to me so I can shoot.” A masterclass in subtle criticism, delivered with a smile, that Serena immediately understood and embraced.
Parties, Supermodels, and Sacchi`s Daughter
Life off the pitch was equally vibrant, especially during his Inter years in the “Milano da bere” era of the 1980s. Serena, by his own admission, was “serious and controlled” until he met Nicola Berti, his teammate, who taught him the “healthy lightness” needed to cope with immense pressure. Berti`s legendary parties at his Piazza Liberty apartment, with its terrace overlooking Corso Vittorio Emanuele, were an open house for anyone and everyone. Not just “beautiful girls,” but even literary figures like writer Andrea De Carlo would quietly observe the scene.
The escapades continued into his post-playing career. In 1994, during the World Cup in America, Serena found himself as a fan, staying at Berti’s and his partner’s house in Soho, New York – a residence later sold to Patti Smith. This hub of activity saw fashion photographers mingle with supermodels like Naomi Campbell, Eva Herzigova, and Linda Evangelista, while many of Sacchi`s Azzurri players would drop by to unwind.
It was here that Serena committed a truly memorable gaffe. At an Italy-Ireland match, Italy were losing, and Serena, in full fan mode, vociferously criticized coach Arrigo Sacchi to two “American” girls sitting nearby. After the game, one of them, Federica Sacchi, the coach`s daughter, revealed her identity. A moment of mortified silence, swiftly salvaged by an invitation to one of Berti’s parties, where all was clarified. A classic case of unintended irony.
The Second Act: From Striker to Sports Commentator
Serena`s transition to a television commentator in 1994 was as unexpected as his name-change. Replacing the esteemed Bettega at Mediaset, his debut covered a pre-season friendly between Lazio and Ajax. Finding the game dull due to the heat, he, in his characteristic straightforward manner, vocalized his honest opinion. Immediately, a voice in his earpiece informed him of a drop in viewership: “Minus twenty thousand viewers.” He persisted, and another update followed: “Another ten thousand gone.”
During the break, director Popi Bonnici delivered a crucial lesson in the realities of commercial television. “Aldo, I was the one who spoke. I want to remind you that we are a commercial TV, and ratings come first. Tell what you see, don`t sugarcoat anything, but do it with measure, without exaggerating, otherwise, you`ll make the ratings crash.” This pivotal advice shaped Serena`s approach, teaching him to balance honesty with the demands of entertainment, a skill that would see him commentate an astonishing 17 Champions League finals.
His deep ties to Inter, where he won the “scudetto of records” with Giovanni Trapattoni, remain strong. Yet, the Juventus experience holds a “unique” place in his heart, marked by an impeccably organized, familial environment and the profound friendship of Gaetano Scirea, his captain and a “superstar on and off the field.”
Looking back, Serena cherishes the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, where Italy finished fourth, as his most magical sporting moment. The Olympic Village, he says, captured the “essence of sport,” a pure, unadulterated spirit that transcended the professional pressures he would later encounter.
Aldo Serena`s journey is a compelling narrative of adaptation, passion, and authenticity. From a factory worker finding his calling, to a celebrated striker navigating the intricacies of rival clubs, to a commentator learning the delicate balance of truth and entertainment, his story is a testament to a life lived fully within the beautiful game. He remains not just a football legend, but a consummate storyteller, whose anecdotes offer a priceless window into the heart and soul of Italian football.
