Calcio Legends: Christian Vieri

The last few years have seen Vieri move to a different club around Italy almost every week it would seem. True, in fact, that this has been symbolic of his whole career for a player who has played for Torino, Pisa, Ravenna, Venezia, Atalanta, Juventus, Athletico Madrid, Lazio, Inter, AC Milan, Monaco, Fiorentina and Atalanta again. But what a career it has been. Christian Vieri took on the mantle of the top Italian forward at France 1998, after the likes of Baggio and Signori were beginning to fade, and he did not fail to deliever.

France 1998 and the world cup Campaigns

Five goals at France 1998, and four at Japan and Korea in 2002, have allowed Vieri to make his mark in the history of the world cup. Only one behind Davor Suker at France 1998, despite going out of the tournament in the Quarters. Arguably, Vieri is exactly the type of forward the current Italy side require. A physical threat, both in the air and on the ground combined with a stunning skill set and a left foot that was second to none at that point. A complete forward, and one that could deliever both at club and International level. 23 goals in 49 Internationals in conformation of that.

Vieri: The Journeyman

But, it all began when he was spotted by Juventus, and he made his debut for them in the 1996-1997 season. It was a good season for him, as he lead the team in goals scored and helped them towards another Scudetto title, alongside the likes of Alen Boksic and Alex Del Piero. Strangely, and despite the promise of Champions League football again with Juve, he left that summer to La Liga and more specifically Athletico Madrid. It was a strange move indeed all things considered, but it was without question ultimately a fruitful one. Vieri hit 24 goals in 24 games for Athletico, and lead them to the semi finals of the them UEFA cup where he met, and lost, to Lazio who ironically were to be his next port of call. Again, Vieri could not stand still, and he left for his third club in three summers to partner Marcelo Salas, and Alen Boksic, at Lazio. But, he began the season injured and only made 22 appearances for them in that campaign. He did however register 12 goals for the Aquile, with headers and spectacular long range efforts, such as his goal against Fiorentina that season, part of his repertoire. It was a great season for him, and for Lazio, as he lead them to the brink of a Scudetto, which Milan just pipped them to, and the Cup Winners Cup. Indeed, it was his goal in that final that set Lazio towards their first ever European piece of silverwear as his looping header left the Real Mallorca keeper with no chance.

Incredibly, however, he moved again in the summer of 1999 to Inter Milan, a club that kept him for six years, to partner mythical Brazilian striker Ronaldo in a mouth watering forward line. However, it was at first a move that arguably backfired on him as Lazio went on to win the title the season after, and Roma the season after that as the balance of football power in Italy shifted from Turin and Milan down to Rome, albeit briefly. Vieri though continued to score, and in the 2001-2002 season his 22 goals almost lead Inter to the Scudetto, but they were beaten on the final day of the season at Lazio to allow Juventus to take the title for the first time since 1998. On the goal front it just got better and better for Vieri, as he took the top scorers title at Inter the season after with an incredible 24 goals in 23 games. This was goal scoring that was sorely missed in the Champions League semi final to city rivals Milan that year as his injury perhaps stopped Inter from at least challenging Milan for that final berth. It seemed that despite his goals, the trophies would just not arrive for Inter and in the summer of 2005 he jumped ship to city rivals AC, in a move that proved to be a total disaster as he scored just once and made only eight appearances for Milan. Monaco beckoned and Vieri went, but soon again he was back on the journeyman travels as moves to Atalanta, Fiorentina and Atalanta again took place. Perhaps he did not win as much silverwear, or as much fan adulation in the long run because of his frequent club changes, that he deserved. But he left his mark, and during the late 90s and early part of this century was one of, if not perhaps the most, fearsome striker in world football. Thanks Christian, thanks Vieri much.