Giacinto Facchetti was a pioneer for his times: the way he played the role of fullback was at least 30 years ahead of the times in which his wonderful footballing career made its mark as he wrote many successful pages into the footballing archives.

This icon of Italian sport’s debut in the Azzurri shirt took place at the Mithatpasa Stadyumu in Istanbul on 27 March 1963 against Turkey. The defender from Treviglio, who was almost 21 at the time, made his Italian debut roughly two years after he had played his first Serie A match with Inter, a side that was led by ‘Il Mago’ Helenio Herrera and that had many a champion among its ranks such as Suarez, Corso, Jair and the great Sandro Mazzola.

Having come through that incredible club set up, Facchetti took to the pitch as a starter for the Azzurri in the return match against Turkey, a qualifier for the 1964 European Championship. Coach Edmondo Fabbri’s Italy won 1-0 thanks to Sormani’s goal just minutes before full-time, and thanks to the 6-0 win in the first leg the Azzurri progressed to the final phases of the continental competition.

This debut was followed by 14 years of games for the National Team that Facchetti captained 70 times and with whom he won the 1968 European Championship. He also took part in the ‘Game of the Century’ at the Stadio Azteca in Mexico City: Italy 4-3 West Germany, which is considered almost unanimously as one of the most surreal pages in International football’s history.

His 94 appearances and three goals are the stats that, although remarkable, do not fully express the incredible skill and great leadership that he constantly showed throughout his career.

THE ITALY LINE-UP ON FACCHETTI’S DEBUT

Lido Vieri - Cesare Maldini (C), Giacinto Facchetti, Paride Tumburus, Alessandro Salvadore, Giovanni Trapattoni - Alberto Orlando, Giorgio Puia - Angelo Sormani, Mario Corso, Gianpaolo Menichelli.