A Life in Calcio and a Dream in Naples
“See Naples and die!” – a phrase often used to describe the city’s mesmerizing beauty. For Giuliano Giuliani, a popular figure in Italian football during the 80s, this saying took on a hauntingly literal meaning. Although his name and appearance seemed more suited for an Italian neorealist film, Giuliani found his passion on the football field. Starting as a goalkeeper in Arezzo and Como, he eventually landed a spot with the strong Italian team, Verona, in his early 30s. Despite his age, his talent earned him call-ups for the Italian Olympic team, catching the eye of the national team coach, Azeglio Vicini. While with Verona, he openly declared his dream of playing alongside the legendary Maradona at Napoli.
Destiny, it seemed, listened. Soon, Giuliani found himself in Naples, his dream team. He quickly established himself as the starting goalkeeper, befriended Maradona, and even secured a spot on the preliminary list for the upcoming World Cup. The pinnacle of his career arrived with Napoli, lifting both the Serie A title and the UEFA Cup.
A Devastating Diagnosis and a Life Shattered
However, joy turned to despair as Giuliani began experiencing health anomalies. Medical tests revealed the shocking truth – he had AIDS. Married with a young child, his life unraveled. He himself hinted that the source of the infection could be traced back to Maradona’s wedding party in Buenos Aires the year before. Attending without his wife, he reportedly met a woman with whom he had a one-night stand.
Napoli, upon learning of his illness, promptly sold him to the second division club Udinese. His marriage crumbled under the weight of the diagnosis. Despite finding solace in football for three seasons at Udinese, his health progressively declined. Feeling incomplete and unable to perform at his best, he retired at the young age of 35.
A Life Cut Short and a Legacy Remembered
Giuliani returned to his hometown of Bologna, opening a small shop while undergoing intensive treatment. Sadly, the battle was lost. Three years after his retirement, in 1996, he succumbed to the disease.
Giuliani’s story is a tragic reminder of the fragility of life. It’s a tale of achieving one’s dream, only to have it shattered by an unforeseen illness. He left behind a legacy of talent and a cautionary tale, forever remembered as a gifted goalkeeper whose career was cut tragically short.