The former Italian athlete was one of the highlights of the 1970 Scudetto
One of the most important defenders in the history of Cagliari, former player Comunardo Niccolai died this Tuesday (2) in Pistoia, Italy, at the age of 77.
Italian champion in 1970 with the Sardinian rossoblù, Niccolai was hospitalized due to a serious illness, not specified by the family.
“Cagliari mourns the passing of Comunardo Niccolai, an unforgettable protagonist of the Scudetto. He leaves behind the memory of a great athlete and a polite, kind, respectful and cordial man, who knew how to make himself loved”, wrote the Sardinian team on their social networks.
The former defender began his career at Cagliari in 1964, but was initially a reserve for the more experienced Raffaello Vescovi, who took over in 1968. He remained in Sardinia until 1976, before moving to Perugia and ending his career at Prato.
In total, Niccolai represented Cagliari in more than 270 games and scored six goals. After hanging up his boots, he continued to coach the youth teams and in the early 1990s he also led the Italian women’s national team.
Nicknamed the “King of Own Goals”, Niccolai found the back of the net six times, fewer than Riccardo Ferri and Franco Baresi, but the nickname stuck because the goals came at important moments.
Source: Terra

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.