Antonio Cabrini

Antonio Cabrini (; born 8 October 1957) is an Italian professional football manager and a former player. He played as a left-back, mainly with Juventus. He won the 1982 FIFA World Cup with the Italy national team. Cabrini was nicknamed Bell'Antonio ("beautiful Antonio"), Cabrini won the Best Young Player Award at the 1978 World Cup, after helping Italy manage a fourth-place finish, and also represented Italy at Euro 1980, once again finishing in fourth place. He is one of the few players to have won all UEFA Club competitions, an achievement he managed with Juventus. In 2021, he was inducted into the Italian Football Hall of Fame.

International career Cabrini was called up to Italy's being part of the list of 20 players to participate in the 1978 FIFA World Cup despite being uncapped (he however, had 23 caps for junior teams). He earned his first cap on 2 June 1978, in Italy's opening game against France, which ended in a 2–1 win for the "Azzurri"; Italy went on to finish the tournament in fourth place, and Cabrini was named the Best Young Player of the Tournament. He soon became an international regular for the next nine years; he participated as a starter in all of Italy's games in three consecutive World Cups: in 1978, 1982 and 1986. Overall, Cabrini played 18 games during World Cup final stages, winning the 1982 edition despite missing a penalty in the 25th minute of final against West Germany. He also represented Italy at Euro 1980 as a starter on home soil, finishing the tournament in fourth place, after reaching the semi-finals.

Cabrini was part of the 1982 World Cup-winning team that included goalkeeper Dino Zoff, Gaetano Scirea, Giuseppe Bergomi, Claudio Gentile in defense, Marco Tardelli and Bruno Conti in midfield, and Cabrini's Juventus teammate Paolo Rossi in attack. Cabrini had a strong performance throughout the tournament, helping to lead his country to win the title, keeping two clean sheets throughout the tournament, but also scoring the crucial match-winning goal in Italy's 2–1 second round win over defending champions Argentina.

In total, he earned 73 caps for his country and scored nine goals (an Italy international record for a defender), ending his career with the Azzurri in October 1987, earning his final appearance on 17 October 1987, in a 0–0 draw against Switzerland. He also captained the national side ten times.

Style of play A fast and powerful attacking left-back, Cabrini is considered one of the greatest full-backs of his generation and of all time, as well as being regarded as one of the best defenders in the history of Italian football. A former left winger, he was also capable of playing on the left side of an attacking trident; he was later switched to left-back by his manager Ivanoe "Babo" Nolli during his time with the Cremonese youth side. Cabrini's attacking prowess, eye for goal, intelligence, and crossing ability, along with his passing, flair and technical ability, enabled him to revolutionise the role of the modern full-back in Italian football, and he added a new attacking dimension to the position: he was known for being prolific in front of goal, despite his defensive playing role, courtesy of his striking ability from distance, and his ability to make attacking runs up the flank; due to his timing and elevation, he was also strong in the air, and was an effective free kick and penalty kick taker. Despite his popularity off the pitch and open character, he was known for being a man of few words throughout his career; On 4 August 2017, after five years as coach, he was replaced by Milena Bertolini.

Personal life Later in 2008, he briefly contested the Italian TV reality show L'Isola dei Famosi (localized version of Celebrity Survivor). In June 2009 he entered politics by joining Italy of Values, as party responsible for sports issues in the Lazio region.

Honours Juventus UEFA Cup Winners' Cup: 1983–84 UEFA Cup: 1976–77 UEFA Super Cup: 1984

Italy FIFA World Cup: 1982 FIFA World Cup: Semi-finals: 1978 UEFA European Football Championship: Semi-finals: 1980

Individual FIFA World Cup Best Young Player Award: 1978 Sport Ideal European XI: 1978, 1979, 1980 Onze Mondial: 1978, 1982, 1983, 1985 Serie A Team of The Year: 1982, 1984, 1986 Guerin Sportivo All-Star Team: 1983, 1984 Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2021 Juventus FC Hall of Fame: 2025