Biography of Sandro Mazzola: Net Worth, Age, Career, Records, Family, Achievements!
Sandro Mazzola is a former Italian footballer who is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He was a creative attacking midfielder and forward known for his excellent technique, dribbling skills, vision and goalscoring ability.
Mazzola spent his entire 17-year club career with Internazionale in Serie A, making 565 appearances and scoring 158 goals. He won four Serie A titles, two European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups with the club.
At international level, Mazzola played 70 matches and scored 22 goals for Italy between 1963 and 1974, representing his country at the 1966 and 1970 World Cups and winning the 1968 European Championship. He is remembered as a leading figure in the great Inter Milan and Italian national teams of the 1960s and early 70s.
What is Sandro Mazzola’s net worth?
While his exact net worth is not known, Sandro Mazzola is reported to have earned a significant fortune during his long and successful playing career. In the 1960s and 70s, top footballers were very well paid despite salaries being much lower than in the modern game.
As one of the biggest stars in Italy and Europe throughout his career, Mazzola would have commanded some of the highest wages in the sport at the time. He was Internazionale’s highest paid player during his peak years.
After retirement, Mazzola had business interests including a sportswear company that added to his wealth. He has lived a comfortable lifestyle and remains a popular figure who earns from promotional work and appearances.
While no definitive figure is given, Sandro Mazzola is believed to have a personal net worth of between $5-10 million USD, a significant amount for a footballer of his era. The wealth and fame he gained reflected his status as one of the best players of his generation.
What is Sandro Mazzola’s age and early life?
Sandro Mazzola was born in Turin, Italy on November 8, 1942. He is currently 80 years old.
Mazzola was born into a famous Italian footballing family. His father Valentino Mazzola was also an attacking midfielder and captain of Torino as well as the Italian national team in the late 1940s. Tragically his father died in the Superga air disaster in 1949 when Sandro was just 6 years old.
He began playing youth football with Inter Milan as a teenager before making his senior debut with the club in 1961 at the age of 18. His rise to stardom was rapid and he became a regular for Inter by the following year, as well as breaking into the Italian national team in 1963.
What was Sandro Mazzola’s playing career with Inter Milan?
- Made senior debut in 1961, becoming regular in 1962 at age 19.
- Played 17 seasons for Inter from 1961 to 1977, making 565 appearances and scoring 158 goals.
- Formed legendary partnership with Brazil’s Luis Suarez in the 1960s.
- Helped Inter win 3 Serie A titles (1963, 1965, 1966), 2 European Cups (1964, 1965) and 2 Intercontinental Cups (1964, 1965).
- Serie A top scorer in 1964-65 season with 17 goals.
- Captained Inter Milan from 1970 until retirement in 1977.
- Holds records for most appearances (576) and goals (161) for Inter.
- His style combined flair, technique, vision and goalscoring from midfield. One of greatest Inter players.
What were some of Sandro Mazzola’s best moments with Inter Milan?
- Scored 2 goals in Inter’s famous 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the 1964 European Cup final.
- Captained the Inter side that won the 1971 Serie A title undefeated.
- Scored decisive penalty in shootout victory over Celtic in the 1972 European Cup semi-final.
- Played a key role in Inter’s Serie A title wins in 1963, 1965 and 1971.
- Forming legendary partnership with Luis Suarez in 1960s that spearheaded Inter to major trophies.
- Scored winning goal in 1963 Intercontinental Cup final vs Independiente.
- Played over 500 games for Inter and scored over 150 goals from midfield, club record holder.
- Famous bending free kick goals became his trademark.
What was Sandro Mazzola’s international career with Italy?
- Made Italy debut in 1963 against Brazil aged 21.
- Played 70 times for Italy, scoring 22 goals between 1963-1974.
- Represented Italy at 1966 FIFA World Cup and 1970 FIFA World Cup.
- Member of Italy’s UEFA Euro 1968 winning team under manager Ferruccio Valcareggi.
- Played alongside Inter teammate Giacinto Facchetti for Italy in the 1960s.
- His creativity and flair made him a key player in Italy’s attacking midfield.
- Played final international match in 1974 FIFA World Cup qualifying versus England.
- Never able to fully replicate his club form with Inter on the international stage. But still a key player for Italy for over a decade.
What trophies and individual honors did Sandro Mazzola win?
- Serie A (4): 1962–63, 1964–65, 1965–66, 1970–71
- European Cup (2): 1963–64, 1964–65
- Intercontinental Cup (2): 1964, 1965
- Inter-Cities Fairs Cup: 1966–67
Individual Honors
- Serie A Top Scorer: 1964-65 (17 goals)
- Serie A Footballer of the Year: 1965
- Ballon d’Or: Runner-up 1965 (3rd place)
- FIFA XI: 1968
- Italian Football Hall of Fame inductee (2011)
- #6 retired by Inter Milan as a club legend (2014)
What made Sandro Mazzola such a great and skilful player?
- Excellent dribbling ability and close control. Could glide past defenders elegantly.
- Vision and passing range to unlock defenses with clever through balls.
- Possessed an array of tricks, feints and skills to beat opponents.
- Two-footed ability made him unpredictable for defenders. Could shoot powerfully with both feet.
- Timing of late runs into the box to get on the end of crosses and score goals.
- Set piece specialist, famous for his bending free kick technique that scored many memorable goals.
- Calmness under pressure and leadership. Ran games from midfield.
- All-round game that balanced creativity with goalscoring. Complete attacking midfielder.
- Work ethic, dedication and professionalism to keep performing at the highest level for so many years.
- Force of personality – his charisma made him a fans’ favorite and captain.
What made Sandro Mazzola such an important player for Inter Milan?
- Helped establish Inter as a major force in the 1960s after joining as a teenager.
- His goals and assists were instrumental in Inter’s most successful period winning 3 European Cups and Intercontinenal Cups between 1964-1965.
- Formed legendary attacking midfield partnership with Brazilian Luis Suarez.
- Became Mr Inter Milan through his loyalty to play 17 seasons and 570 games for the club.
- Holds Inter records for most appearances and goals that stand to this day.
- Captained the side for 7 years and led by example through his skill and dedication.
- Played attractive, attacking football that made Inter’s teams fan favorites.
- His name became synonymous with the successful Inter side of the 1960s and early 70s.
- Provided creativity, flair, goals and leadership during a golden era for the club.
- Ambassadorial role for the club since retirement through promotional work.
What made Sandro Mazzola a legend for Italian football?
- One of Italy’s greatest ever players and biggest stars of the 1960s/early 70s.
- Key figure that led Italy to European Championship glory in 1968 and World Cup final in 1970.
- Creative flair provided inspiration for national team nicknamed the ‘Azzurri’.
- Formed excellent understanding with Inter teammate Giacinto Facchetti for Italy.
- Played in famous 1970 World Cup match against Germany known as the ‘Game of the Century’.
- His rivalry with Gianni Rivera captured the imagination of Italian fans.
- Durability to perform at the top level for Italy for over a decade between 1963-1974.
- Still fondly remembered as an icon today – awarded Italian Football Hall of Fame in 2011.
- Helped inspire future generations of Italian footballers with his technical skill and achievements.
What was Sandro Mazzola’s playing style and technique?
- Elegant touch and close control: able to caress the ball and dribble past defenders.
- Two-footed ability: could pass, dribble and shoot powerfully with either foot making him unpredictable.
- Creativity: possessed outstanding vision and range of passing. Unlocked defenses with clever through balls.
- Work rate: willingness to track back and win the ball back when defending. Covered a lot of ground.
- Flair and trickery: used array of fe
Conclusion
Sandro Mazzola deserves his place as one of the greatest Italian footballers of all time. His remarkable 17 year career with Inter Milan saw him win numerous trophies while establishing club records for appearances and goals that stand to this day.
At international level, Mazzola was a star of the Italian national team for over a decade. He played a pivotal role as Italy won Euro 1968 and reached the 1970 World Cup final through his creativity, skill and eye for goal from midfield.
Few players have represented a club with such distinction for so long or demonstrated such technical excellence blended with leadership, charisma and dedication. Mazzola’s legacy lives on through the many memories of his achievements and iconic status as Mr Inter Milan during the club’s golden era.
Frequently Asked Questions
What number did Sandro Mazzola wear?
Sandro Mazzola wore the number 10 shirt for Inter Milan and Italy during his entire playing career. The number 10 became synonymous with him and his elegant playing style.
How many goals did Mazzola score for Inter Milan?
Mazzola scored 161 goals in 566 appearances for Inter Milan. He held the club record for most goals for several decades until it was surpassed by Giuseppe Meazza in the late 1990s.
What major trophies did Sandro Mazzola win with Inter?
With Inter Milan, Mazzola won 4 Serie A titles (1963, 1965, 1966, 1971), 2 European Cups (1964, 1965) and 2 Intercontinental Cups (1964, 1965). This made him a key part of Inter’s most successful period.
Did Mazzola have any famous relatives?
Yes, his father Valentino Mazzola was one of Italy’s greatest ever players in the 1940s and captain of Torino as well as the national team. He died in the Superga air disaster when Sandro was 6 years old.
What managerial career did Mazzola have after retiring as a player?
After retiring in 1977, Mazzola had brief spells managing Reggina, Lazio and Inter Milan but with limited success. He achieved better results as a club director at Inter where he worked for over 30 years until retiring in 2013.