World Cup countdown: Dino Zoff, 40 years old and a world champion | OneFootball

With just 40 days until the World Cup, the event of the year: unfortunately Italy won’t be there. But Onefootball will accompany you to Russia by telling stories every day from the competition’s rich history.

Today – that story is all about Dino Zoff, captain of the Italian side in 1982.

Dino Zoff was 40 years old in 1982. In July of that year, Italy won their third World Cup title. The coveted trophy was raised by Zoff, who became and still remains the oldest player to have played a World Cup final.

The veteran stopper defended the Azzurri door with authority, making himself the protagonist of a miracle. A save that remains, still, among the best in football history.

In their final challenge of the second phase – it was a different tournament formula back then – Italy faced Brazil and only a victory would have given them a place in the semi-final.

A task that suddenly seemed realistic thanks to the rebirth of Paolo Rossi: Brazil, however, were not going down without a fight and desperately craved an equaliser.

A whipped in cross from the left, perfectly placed by Éder onto Oscar’s head: a brilliant header destined for goal, and yet, it was stopped on the line by Zoff. The author of a miracle.

In that moment, with that save, many believe that Italy won the World Cup there and then. It was apt that Zoff, architect of this incredible moment, lifted the trophy at 40 years of age.

The gentle giant who was often characterized by simplicity and humility, he has since remained a symbolic image.