Gianni Rivera

Gianni Rivera, born on August 18, 1943, is a distinguished Italian politician and former footballer, celebrated for his role as an attacking midfielder. Known as Italy's 'Golden Boy,' Rivera began his illustrious career with his hometown club Alessandria in 1959 before making a significant move to AC Milan in 1960. His tenure at Milan was marked by remarkable success, where he captained the team for twelve seasons and secured three Serie A titles and two European Cups, among numerous other accolades.

On the international stage, Rivera represented the Italy national team sixty times from 1962 to 1974, netting fourteen goals. He participated in four World Cups—1962, 1966, 1970, and 1974—and is particularly remembered for his pivotal goal in the thrilling semi-final against West Germany during the 1970 World Cup, which led Italy to the final. Rivera was also part of the historic 1968 squad that clinched the European Football Championship on home soil and competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, where Italy finished fourth.

Renowned for his elegance, creativity, and technical prowess, Rivera is often regarded as one of the greatest Italian footballers of all time, with some considering him Italy's finest player ever. His accolades include winning the Ballon d'Or in 1969 and being named among the FIFA 100 greatest living footballers by Pelé in 2004. Rivera's legacy continues to be honored, as he was inducted into Italy's sports Walk of Fame in 2015 and ranked thirty-fifth in the UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll.

After retiring from professional football in 1979, Rivera transitioned into a leadership role as Milan's vice-president before entering the political arena in 1987. In 2013, he was appointed President of the educational youth sector for the Italy national team, working alongside notable figures like Roberto Baggio and Arrigo Sacchi. As of now, Rivera holds the distinction of being the oldest living recipient of the Ballon d'Or following the passing of Denis Law in January 2025.