Quick Facts
Biography
Dino Ballarin (23 September 1925 – 4 May 1949) was an Italian professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Club career
In 1947 he arrived at Torino, "called" by his brother Aldo as third goalkeeper.
He arrived from the amateurs and he never played any competitive games with Torino. He distinguished himself in the team for his dedication, which saw him first to arrive at practice and last to leave. As a reward, his brother Aldo convinced the club to take him to Lisbon, for a friendly with Benfica, which would be the final game of the Grande Torino. The decision also sparked a great disappointment to the second goalkeeper, Renato Gandolfi, who was notified on short notice. Gandolfi did not know that this event would save his life: the two Ballarin brothers died together in the Superga air disaster.
In memory of the death of Dino and his brother Aldo Ballarin, the town of Chioggia renamed its municipal stadium in honour of the two footballers. The town of San Benedetto del Tronto, in 1949, renamed its pitch, then used by Sambenedettese, after the two brothers.
Dino Ballarin was buried in the cemetery of Chioggia, near his brother Aldo.
Trivia
Dino Ballarin was played by Matteo Taranto in the TV miniseries Il Grande Torino.