Legendary Italian football commentator Bruno Pizzul dies at 86 | OneFootball

TV commentator Bruno Pizzul, the iconic voice of Italian football, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 86.

Born in 1938 in Udine, Pizzul initially pursued a career as a professional footballer, playing as a midfielder for clubs including Pro Gorizia, Catania, Ischia, and Cremonese during the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Italian sports commentating legend Bruno Pizzul dies aged 86

After earning a degree in law, Pizzul transitioned to journalism and joined RAI, Italy’s national public broadcasting company, in 1969, debuting as a sports commentator with the Coppa Italia match between Juventus and Bologna that same year.

In 1986, Pizzul would go on to become the principal commentator for the Italian national football team, a role he held until 2002.

DAEJEON – JUNE 18: Mark Iuliano, Christian Vieri and captain Paolo Maldini of Italy complain to referee Byron Moreno of Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup Finals 2002.

His tenure encompassed several FIFA World Cups and UEFA European Championships, making his voice synonymous with Italy’s footballing triumphs and tribulations during that period. His ability to convey the drama and emotion of the game resonated deeply with fans, solidifying his status as a beloved broadcaster.