Calcio Legends: Alvaro Recoba

Not many would have predicted it, but for someone to upstage Ronaldo, fresh from signing from Barcelona in 1997 as the worlds best player, on his Inter debut as a relative unknown at the time was some feat. Inter, beginning the 1997/1998 campaign at home to Brescia that year were trailing 0-1 in a game that should have been Ronaldo's chance to shine. Recoba though had not read the script and when he replaced the brilliant Brazilian late on he scored a wonderful double that lead to three Inter points and the arrival of one of the best talents to hit Serie A for some time, even if in the end a large portion of his career was wasted on the Inter bench. The double he scored that day was beyond belief at the time really. One from around 40 yards out and the winner a superb free kick into the Curva Sud end of the San Siro. It seemed to be no fluke either as later that season, against Empoli, another goal of magnificent magnitude followed, from beyond the half way line this time. But, despite his genius he arrived at a club in Inter that was looking to go forward fast, and take few chances on relative unknowns and with Ronaldo and Zamorano in the side opportunities were limited and with the arrival of Christian Vieri from Lazio in the 1999/2000 season it was time for El Chino to move on, Venezia was the destination.

First team football was guaranteed at Venezia and a partnership with Pipo Maniero, a highly underrated talent, was established. Venice proved to be the perfect foil for Recoba as he banged in the goals with that peach of a left foot of his. 11 goals in 19 games was the output and survival was assured for the northern outfit. Inter came calling and he went back from his loan spell in Venice, but was sucked into a passport scandal that resulted in a ban from football for a short period. Short or long, it didn't really matter as in the world of Serie A one is quickly forgotten, especially at such a big club. Perhaps that was the time to move on, but Recoba stayed and only really got legitimate chances under the guidance of Hector Cuper and after ten seasons with the Milan club he amassed only 175 games, not even half a season per year when broken down. 53 goals in Serie A but it could have been so much more had he moved to a club that put him in the spotlight. His last port of call in Serie A was an unsuccessful spell at Torino, before moving onto Greece and now back in his native Uruguay. Still, he won't be forgotten.