Gian Piero Gasperini is the winner of the 14th edition of the ‘Enzo Bearzot’ National Prize. The announcement was made, in line with FIGC tradition, in the ‘Paolo Rossi’ hall, by the Us Acli President Damiano Lembo, following a morning meeting in which a group led by FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, selected the Atalanta Head Coach as the worthy successor of Simone Inzaghi, who was last year’s recipient of the award.

A well-deserved recognition for one of the key orchestrators of Atalanta’s success. The Unione Sportiva ACLI and FIGC justified this award by stating: “A unique phenomenon in our country for his consistency at the highest level managing a single team. Gian Piero Gasperini has been synonymous with great results and a brilliant style of play for many years. But his pursuit of victory, the Europa League triumph, is the most recent European trophy to be won by an Italian club. It has never come at the expense of his strong character, teaching mentality and team spirit. These qualities combined with Atalanta’s achievements, make Gasperini the unanimous choice for the 2025 award dedicated to the great ‘Vecio’ of Italian football.”

The award ceremony will take place on 24 March at the Salone d’Onore of CONI.

Gasperini stated: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart, for this prestigious recognition in the name of a brilliant coach and an extraordinary sporting figure. It’s a prize that I would like to share with all of my staff, players, club and with Bergamo and the Atalanta fans, who have contributed massively in reaching these brilliant milestones.”

Always committed to youth development, the Atalanta Head Coach has boosted the careers of many young talents throughout his long career, benefitting the Italian National Team. FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, recalled his personal connection with Enzo Bearzot and reinforced the FIGC’s support for US ACLI, stating: “The consistency of results culminating in the historic Europa League win, along with his extraordinary ability to nurture young players, something for which everyone in Italian Football should thank him, are the main reasons for choosing Gasperini. I particularly admire his deep footballing education, his nearly obsessive dedication and his unwavering determination. He has grown through years of hard work and has succeeded as a result of his efforts. In that, I see a perfect comparison with Bearzot”.

During the press conference, which was also attended by FIGC General Secretary  Marco Brunelli, US Acli President Damiano Lembo, explained the various reasons behind the award: “Ideas, beautiful football, values: this has what have always defined the career of Gian Piero Gasperini, which reached its peak last year with Atalanta’s Europa League win. We have now got to the 14th edition of the Enzo Bearzot National Award, and meeting here every year is testimony to the growth of this recognition over time, combining top-level professional football with grassroots football, another essential driving force in the sporting culture of our country. A special thanks should be extended to the many friends and partners who have helped this event reach this level. From our world, that of US ACLI, to the FIGC, CONI, Sport e Salute and the AIA, which has enriched the award for years with the Stefano Farina Memorial Prize. Teamwork has been fundamental to the success of this award, along with the invaluable collaboration of the sporting media, which enhances the panel and gives the Bearzot Award the visibility that renders it an unmissable event on the national sporting calendar”.

THE STEFANO FARINA PRIZE. Since 2018, alongside the Bearzot Prize, the prize dedicated to the memory of Stefano Farina, the referee and head of CAN B, CAN PRO and CAN D who passed away on 23 May, 2017, has also been awarded. This year, the award has been conferred to 34 year old Andrea Colombo, from the Comoi section. The announcement was made by AIA President Antonio Zappi, who explained: “There were a few promising candidates, but Colombo is one of the referees who has made the biggest impact at both national and international levels. Since this award is named after Farina, we looked for qualities in Colombo that reflect Stefano’s legacy, his dedication to study and preparation are precious when it comes to the evolution of refereeing. And given that we are in the context of the Bearzot Award, I must highlight another quality of Andrea, his discretion, along with his technical abilities, is something I truly appreciate. I encourage you to observe his decision-making speed, it is truly remarkable”. Zappi concluded.

Yesterday, one of the jerseys worn by Stefano Farina in the Serie A 2007/08 season, was donated to the Museo del Calcio at Coverciano, by his son Nello, his wife Emilia and Emilia’s son Alessandro, who Stefano raised. This donation further enriches the section of the Museum dedicated to referees.

AWARD DEDICATED TO GIAN PAOLO ORMEZZANO. Starting from this year, the Bearzot Award has been enriched by the presence of an award to journalists, dedicated to the memory of Gian Paolo Ormezzano, legendary correspondent of ‘La Stampa’, director of Tuttosport and of the leading writers of Famiglia Cristiana, who passed away on 26 December, 2024. The award was conferred unanimously to Elisa Chiari of Famiglia Cristiana. A panel formed of the director of Tuttosport, Guido Vaciago, the director of Famiglia Cristiana, Don Stefano Stimamiglio, the head of Sport of La Stampa, Antonio Barillà, and Timothy Ormezzano, collaborator with Corriere della Sera.