Massimo Bonini

Massimo Bonini (born 13 October 1959) is a Sanmarinese former professional football player and coach who played as a midfielder for Italian sides Bellaria Igea, Forlì, Cesena, Juventus, and Bologna. His greatest achievements in club football were at Juventus, where his workrate enabled him to form a notable midfield partnership with Michel Platini and Marco Tardelli, having won three Scudetti, one Italian Cup, one European Cup, one Cup Winners' Cup, one European Super Cup, and one Intercontinental Cup, becoming the first and only Sanmarinese footballer to win a UEFA club competition. At the international level, he gained 19 caps for the San Marino national football team.

Widely regarded as the best Sanmarinese player of all time, Bonini is one of the few sportspeople from his country to have won a world title, alongside motorcyclist Manuel Poggiali, jumper Elisabetta Rossi, and fisherman Marino Michelotti. For its 50th anniversary in 2004, UEFA asked each of its then 52 member associations to nominate one player as the single most outstanding player of the period 1954–2003, and Bonini was chosen as the Golden Player of San Marino by the San Marino Football Federation in November 2003.

Club career Bonini began his career at Juvenes Dogana in 1973 but failed to make a league appearance during his 4 years at the club. After leaving Juvenes Dogana in 1977, he moved on to join Bellaria, going on to make 33 appearances scoring 1 goal. After leaving Bellaria in 1978, he moved on to join Forli, going on to make 23 appearances, scoring 1 goal. After leaving Forli in 1979, he moved to Cesena, appearing 60 times and scoring 5 goals.

Managerial career After his retirement, Bonini briefly served as the head coach of the San Marino national football team, from 2 June 1996 to 10 September 1997. UEFA Jubilee Awards Golden Player of San Marino: 2004 FIFA Centennial Golden Medal: 2005