Agostino Di Bartolomei

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Agostino Di Bartolomei (April 8, 1955 - May 30, 1994) was an Italian football player, who played as midfielder. He was a playmaking central midfielder. He generally considered to be one of Roma's greatest players and one the best Italians never to have played internationaly.

He was an elegant playmaking central midfielder.

[edit] Biography

Di Bartolomei was born in a peripherical quarter of Rome. He grew as football player in the Garbatella and was recruited in the A.S. Roma junior team as a very young. He was soon called to play in the first team, making his debut in the Italian Serie A in the 1972-73 season.

In 1975 he went on loan to Vicenza Calcio, returning to Rome in 1976 as one of the unamovable players of the team.

After Nils Liedholm's return as coach of A.S. Roma, Di Bartolomei became the undisputed leader of the team and obtained the title of captain. He won a memorable scudetto for Rome in 1983. The following season, marked by the defeat in the final (held in Rome) of the European Cup against Liverpool F.C., was the last one for him with A.S. Roma.

Subsequently he played for A.C. Milan, Cesena and Salernitana.

Di Bartolomei, who suffered from clinical depression in his later years, committed suicide by shooting himself on May 30, 1994 -- ten years to the day after Roma had lost the European Cup final to Liverpool on penalties.

Preceded by Sergio Santarini

AS Roma Captain 1980-1984

Succeeded by Carlo Ancelotti