Stefano Tacconi

Stefano Tacconi (; born 13 May 1957) is an Italian former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is the only goalkeeper to have won all international club competitions, a feat he managed during his time with Juventus. At international level, he was largely used as a back-up goalkeeper behind Walter Zenga, which earned him the nickname "the best back-up keeper in the world". He was a member of the Italy squads that took part at the 1988 Summer Olympics, UEFA Euro 1988, and the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He is widely regarded by pundits as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, and as one of Italy's best ever goalkeepers.

Club career Tacconi got his first significant experience at Spoleto football club. Following this, having already attracted the interest of Inter Milan, he had his first brief stint as a professional with Pro Patria and Livorno before joining Sambenedettese. He then reached Serie A with Avellino in the 1980–81 season; he remained there for three years before joining the Italian club Juventus in 1983, ahead of Luciano Bodini, as a replacement for his legendary predecessor Dino Zoff, who had retired at the end of the previous season.

With Giovanni Trapattoni's Juventus club, Tacconi achieved great domestic and international success, as he won two scudetti in 1984 and 1986, the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1984, the 1984 European Super Cup, the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1985 and the 1985 Intercontinental Cup the same year against Argentinos Juniors on penalties. In 1990 Tacconi and Juventus went on to win a UEFA Cup and a Coppa Italia double; the following season, he was named the team's captain, although Juventus lost out on the 1990 Supercoppa Italiana to Serie A winners Napoli. During this period, Juventus were one of the best teams in the world, and Tacconi was also regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the world.

After a ten-year working relationship with Juventus (during the 1985–86 season, he was kept on the bench), Tacconi transferred to Genoa in 1992. Unfortunately, Genoa was relegated to Serie B at the end of season. He retired from professional football in 1994. in particular, as well as the emerging keeper Gianluca Pagliuca, subsequently. As a result, Tacconi was frequently Zenga's reserve for the Italy national team.

Tacconi made his senior international debut in a 3–1 win over Argentina on 10 June 1987, in Zürich.

In total, Tacconi made seven appearances for Italy between 1987 and 1991, all in friendly matches, conceding two goals. He played his final match for Italy on 13 February 1991, keeping a clean sheet in a 0–0 friendly home draw with Belgium, in Terni. He was also known for his adeptness at stopping penalties. Although he had a deep goal kick, he was not particularly gifted with his feet, and struggled to adapt his game following the introduction of the back-pass rule, and was even critical of the new regulations. He was also not particularly adept at playing as a sweeper-keeper in zonal marking systems, which saw him struggle under Juventus manager Luigi Maifredi, despite having once played in a similar (and, for the time, unorthodox) manner during his stint at Avellino.

After retiring from football After quitting professional football, Tacconi had several disappointing experiences in politics. In 1999, he was on Alleanza Nazionale's lists for the European parliamentary elections, but failed to earn a seat. In 2005, he controversially tried to stand for president of Lombardy as a candidate for New Italian Social Movement, an extreme right-wing party, but could not garner enough votes to validate his candidacy. In 2006, he put in for a city councilman position in Milan again within Alleanza Nazionale, supporting winner Letizia Moratti for mayor, but gained only 57 personal preferences (votes) and was not elected to the office.

In August 2008, at the age of 51, he accepted an offer from Arquata, a Seconda Categoria amateur club based in Arquata del Tronto, Marche, to make a return into active football as a goalkeeper.

Personal life On 13 May 2011, Tacconi married long-time partner Laura Speranza, with whom he has four children. He considers himself Roman Catholic.

In October 2023, Tacconi was released from hospital following his rehabilitation from a brain haemorrhage he suffered in April 2022.

Honours Juventus Serie A: 1983–84, 1985–86 Coppa Italia: 1989–90 European Cup: 1984–85 European Cup Winners' Cup: 1983–84 UEFA Cup: 1989–90 European Super Cup: 1984 Intercontinental Cup: 1985 Supercoppa Italiana: runner-up 1990

Italy Premio Nazionale Carriera Esemplare "Gaetano Scirea": 1993 Juventus FC Hall of Fame: 2025

Orders