Antonio Juliano

Antonio Juliano (born 1 January 1943) is a former Italian footballer who played as a midfielder. A dedicated, hardworking, influential, and creative playmaker, he was renowned in particular for his leadership, technical ability, and ball control, as well as for his outstanding vision, stamina, and passing range.

Club career

Juliano played the majority of his club career with Napoli (1962–78), winning the Coppa delle Alpi in 1966, and the Coppa Italia and the Anglo-Italian League Cup in 1976. He finished his playing career after a season with Bologna, retiring in 1979, after helping the club to avoid relegation.

International career

Juliano earned 18 caps for the Italy national football team between 1966 and 1974, and was a member of the championship-winning team of Euro 68. He was also in the Italian squad for three World Cup finals: 1966 (wearing the number 10 shirt), 1970 and 1974. However, he played only one World Cup match, the 4–1 defeat by Brazil in the 1970 final, after coming on as a substitute.

After retirement

After retiring, he returned to Napoli as a sporting director, a role in which he oversaw the acquisitions of Ruud Krol in 1978, and of Diego Armando Maradona, from Barcelona, in 1984.

Honours

Club

Napoli

• Coppa Italia (1): 1975–76
• Anglo-Italian League Cup (1): 1976
• Coppa delle Alpi (1): 1966

International

Italy

• UEFA European Championship (1): 1968
• FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 1970