Alessandro Altobelli

Alessandro Altobelli at Inter.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Another fine Italian forward of the 1980s, Inter legend Alessandro Altobelli is the 9th highest scoring Italian footballer in all domestic and international matches, whilst his 25 goals in 61 matches for the Azzurri sees him positioned at 6th in the all-time list of Italian national team goalscorers.

Nicknamed Spillo (meaning Needle) due to his tall, slender build, Altobelli was actually deceptively strong, and his ability to hold the ball up, shield it and bring teammates into the game in attacking positions was one of the real strengths of his game. Altobelli's ability in the air was another string to his bow, whilst his technique and finishing made him a terrific all-round forward.

Altobelli's finest moment came in the final of the 1982 World Cup when he scored Italy's final goal in the 3:1 victory over West Germany. In doing so he became only the second substitute to score a goal in a World Cup final, following Dick Nanninga four years earlier for Holland against Argentina.