Franco Causio

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Franco Causio
Personal information
Full name	Franco Causio
Date of birth	February 1, 1949 (1949-02-01) (age 59)
Place of birth	Lecce, Italy
Playing position	Midfielder
Club information
Current club	retired
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1964-1965 1965-1966 1966-1968 1968-1969 1969-1970 1970-1981 1981-1984 1984-1985 1985-1986 1986-1988 1964-1988	Lecce Sambenedettese Juventus Reggina Palermo Juventus Udinese Inter Lecce Triestina Total	3 (0) 13 (0) 1 (0) 30 (5) 22 (3) 304 (49) 83 (11) 24 (0) 26 (3) 64 (5) 570 (76)
National team
1972-1983	Italy	63 (6)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. * Appearances (Goals)

Franco Causio (born on February 1, 1949) is an Italian former footballer who played for Juventus for many years in the 1970s and 1980s. He is considered one of the most talented Italian players of all time.

[edit] Biography

Causio was born in Lecce (Puglia), and moved to Juventus when he was just 17.

After some years on loan in Serie B (playing in Reggina and Palermo), he returned to Juventus in during 1970. For 11 years he wore number 7 for Juventus, and played with other famous players like Roberto Bettega, Marco Tardelli, Dino Zoff and Beppe Furino, winning 6 scudettos and a UEFA cup.

In this period his popularity reached its peak: Causio became the main idol of the southern Italians who supported Juventus.

In 1981 he moved to Udinese where he played for 3 years, teaming up with Brazilian superstar Zico. Then he played in his city football team, Lecce, in its debut in Serie A (1985/86). Subsequently he signed for Inter. He finished his career playig for Serie B team Triestina at the age of 39.

He made his debut with Italian national football team on April 29, 1972 (Italy-Belgium). He was in the Italian squad at the WC 1974, WC 1978 and WC 1982, which was won by Italy.

His nickname is "The Baron", because of his stylish moves on the pitch and his well educated and fair attitude in life.

v • d • e Italy squad - 1974 FIFA World Cup 1 Zoff • 2 Spinosi • 3 Facchetti • 4 Benetti • 5 Morini • 6 Burgnich • 7 Mazzola • 8 Capello • 9 Chinaglia • 10 Rivera • 11 Riva • 12 Albertosi • 13 Sabadini • 14 Bellugi • 15 Wilson • 16 Juliano • 17 Re Cecconi • 18 Causio • 19 Anastasi • 20 Boninsegna • 21 Pulici • 22 Castellini • Coach: Valcareggi

v • d • e Italy squad - 1978 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place 1 Zoff • 2 Bellugi • 3 Cabrini • 4 Cuccureddu • 5 Gentile • 6 Maldera • 7 Manfredonia • 8 Scirea • 9 Antognoni • 10 Benetti • 11 Pecci • 12 Conti • 13 P. Sala • 14 Tardelli • 15 Zaccarelli • 16 Causio • 17 C. Sala • 18 Bettega • 19 Graziani • 20 Pulici • 21 Rossi • 22 Bordon • Coach: Bearzot

v • d • e Italy squad - 1982 FIFA World Cup Winners (3rd Title) 1 Zoff • 2 Baresi • 3 Bergomi • 4 Cabrini • 5 Collovati • 6 Gentile • 7 Scirea • 8 Vierchowod • 9 Antognoni • 10 Dossena • 11 Marini • 12 Bordon • 13 Oriali • 14 Tardelli • 15 Causio • 16 Conti • 17 Massaro • 18 Altobelli • 19 Graziani • 20 Rossi • 21 Selvaggi • 22 Galli • Coach: Bearzot