Sebastiano Nela Explained

Sebastiano Nela
Birth Date:13 March 1961
Birth Place:Rapallo, Italy
Height:1.77m
Position:Full-back, centre-back
Years1:1978–1981
Caps1:70
Goals1:6
Clubs1:Genoa
Years2:1981–1992
Caps2:281
Goals2:16
Clubs2:Roma
Years3:1992–1994
Caps3:34
Goals3:0
Clubs3:Napoli
Totalcaps:385
Totalgoals:22
Nationalyears1:1981–1982
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalteam1:Italy U-21
Nationalyears2:1984–1987
Nationalcaps2:5
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalteam2:Italy
Ntupdate:8 January 2009

Sebastiano Nela (pronounced as /it/; born 13 March 1961) is an Italian former footballer who played as a defender, usually as an offensive-minded full-back due to his crossing ability with his left foot, as well as his speed, stamina, tenacity, physical strength, and work-rate, which enabled him to make attacking runs down the wing and track back to defend his opponents. A versatile and hard-tackling player, he was capable of playing anywhere across the back-line, both on the left or right flanks, and even in the centre, and was even deployed as a central midfielder on occasion, a position which he had often occupied in his youth.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

He began his club career with Genoa, and later moved to Roma, where he spent most of his career, winning a Serie A title and three Coppa Italia titles; he retired in 1994, after two seasons Napoli. At international level, he represented the Italy national football team on five occasions between 1984 and 1987, and participated at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and the 1984 Olympics. He is a member of the A.S. Roma Hall of Fame.

Club career

A surly and hard-working left-footed defender, Nela began his career with Genoa. He was bought by Serie A side Roma, making his debut in a 0–0 draw with Avellino on 13 September 1981.[9] He made 28 appearances for the Roma team that won the Scudetto in 1983.[9]

Nela was badly injured to his knee in an accident in 1987 and was forced to miss almost a year of football. The singer Antonello Venditti dedicated his song "Correndo correndo", which appears on his 1988 album In questo mondo di ladri, to Nela.[1] [10]

Nela left Roma in 1992 to join Napoli having won the Scudetto and three Italian cups. He retired after the 1993–94 season having made a total of 315 appearances in Serie A.

International career

Nela's performances for Roma earned him a call up to the Italy national team, making his debut against West Germany on 22 May 1984.[11]

Nela made a total of five appearances for the Italy national team between 1984 and 1987.[12] Nela was a member of the Italian squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play; Italy went out in the round of 16.[11] He also made three appearances at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, helping Italy to a fourth-place finish in the tournament.[13]

After retirement

Following his retirement, Nela has worked as a commentator for various national and satellite channels; he currently works for Mediaset Premium.[14]

Honours

Club

Roma[15]

1982–83

1983–84, 1985–86, 1990–91

Individual

2013[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: L'INTERVISTA. Lo scudetto di Nela: "Ho battuto il cancro" . www.avvenire.it . Italian . Massimiliano Castellani . 25 July 2013 . 22 September 2018 .
  2. Web site: Roma 1982/83: Cuore Giallorosso . Storie di Calcio . 17 September 2016 . Italian . 22 September 2018 .
  3. Web site: Sono diciotto gli "Oscar" del calcio. Platini è in testa a tutti . La Stampa Sera . 11, Sports Section . Italian . 1 June 1984 . 22 September 2018 .
  4. Web site: Un pokerissimo all'Olimpico per il piatto dello scudetto . La Stampa Sera . Gianni Ranieri . 31 . Italian . 6 May 1983 . 22 September 2018 .
  5. News: Vierchowod uomo in più, Nappy jolly . La Stampa . 20 . Italian . 10 May 1983 . 22 September 2018 .
  6. Web site: GALLI "TUTTI SANNO SEGNARE MA PARARE SOTTO IL SETTE…" . www.cinquantamila.it . 22 September 2018 . Italian . Alberto Polverosi . 31 December 2013 .
  7. Web site: Sebino Nela storia di un terzino strepitoso . calciomercato.com . Italian . Ammiraglio Byrd . 30 November 2017 . 23 September 2018 .
  8. Web site: ESCLUSIVA TMW – Sebino Nela: "Alla Roma servono quattro difensori" . www.tuttomercatoweb.com . Italian . Elena Rossin . 24 June 2012 . 23 September 2018 .
  9. Web site: Il Campionato 1982-'83 . Italian. Geocities. 8 January 2009. 22 July 1999. https://web.archive.org/web/20091020043344/http://geocities.com/Colosseum/Field/6769/1982-83.html. dead. 20 October 2009.
  10. Web site: "Lacrime di...gioia" per sensi? . Italian. Splinder.com. 8 January 2009. 3 August 2006.
  11. Web site: Italy – International Matches 1980–1989 . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 8 January 2009. 6 June 2002.
  12. Web site: Nela, Sebastiano . FIGC . Italian . 22 September 2018 .
  13. Web site: Sebastiano Nela . https://web.archive.org/web/20080619045302/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/statisticsandrecords/players/player=166473/index.html. dead. 19 June 2008. FIFA. 8 January 2009. 8 January 2009.
  14. News: Eurosport to host Sebastiano Nela on Malta visit. The Malta Independent. 8 January 2009. 27 July 2007. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120218040951/http://www.independent.com.mt/news2.asp?artid=54931. 18 February 2012.
  15. Web site: Palmarès. A.S. Roma. Italian. 27 July 2016.
  16. Web site: Hall of Fame. A.S. Roma. Italian. 27 July 2016.