Written by: Liam O'Sullivan

Giuseppe Meazza: The Genius of Italian Football

Giuseppe Meazza is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, earning the nickname "il genio" (the genius) for his exceptional technical skill, prolific goalscoring, and creative ability on the pitch. With an impressive tally of 338 goals in all competitions, Meazza is the third-highest Italian goalscorer in history, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of football fans.

The Early Years and Club Career

• Born on August 23, 1910, in Milan, Italy, Meazza began his footballing journey with local club Inter Milan, where he would go on to spend the majority of his career.
• During his time with Inter, Meazza won three Serie A titles and the Coppa Italia, while also representing local rivals Milan, Turin rivals Juventus, Varese, and Atalanta.

International Success and Accolades

Meazza's impressive club form earned him a call-up to the Italian national team, where he would captain the side to two consecutive World Cup victories in 1934 and 1938.

• As one of only four Italian players to have won two World Cups, Meazza was named to the All-star Team in both tournaments.
• He is the second-highest goalscorer for the Italy national team with 33 goals, and his impressive World Cup performances earned him a ranking as the fourth-best player in the history of the tournament.

Coaching Career and Legacy

Following his retirement from playing, Meazza went on to manage several Italian clubs, including Inter Milan, Atalanta, and Pro Patria, as well as the Turkish club Beşiktaş.

• Meazza also served as the head coach of the Italy national team at the 1952 Summer Olympics.
• In recognition of his contribution to Italian football, the San Siro stadium, shared by Inter Milan and A.C. Milan, was renamed Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in his honor in 1980.

Trivia and Records

• Meazza is the youngest player to score 100 goals in Serie A, achieving the feat at the age of 23 years and 32 days.
• He won the Serie A top scorer award on three occasions, and is the fourth all-time highest goal scorer in Serie A with 216 goals.

Giuseppe Meazza's incredible achievements on and off the pitch have cemented his place as one of the greatest footballers of all time, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of football fans around the world.