From brigand to inter legend: colonnese's unlikely football journey
Francesco 'Ciccio' Colonnese, a name whispered with reverence in Lucanian villages and fondly remembered in Milan, has recounted a footballing life as unpredictable as the rugged landscapes of his youth. The former Inter defender, a UEFA Cup winner in '98, reveals a surprising teenage Juventus allegiance and a difficult exit from Lazio, all framed by a deep-seated loyalty instilled by his father and a mentor who preached the importance of serving the fans.
A lucanian upbringing forged in steel
Born in Potenza, a region steeped in the history of brigands and fiercely independent spirit, Colonnese’s footballing education began not in the pristine academies of the north, but on snow-covered pitches where tenacity was the only currency. “Potenza, my land,” he says, “the land of brigands. I feel a bit like a brigand myself, and a lion, my zodiac sign and the symbol of the city.” He credits this upbringing – the unwavering dedication, the relentless will – for his ability to reach the top, despite admitting he wasn't the most naturally gifted player. His older brother possessed greater talent, but young Francesco played to prove his parents wrong, fueled by a quiet determination that earned him the nickname 'he never gives up' from onlookers.
From juventus fan to inter icon: an unexpected turn
But the path wasn't linear. “As a boy, I was a Juve fan,” Colonnese admits, a surprising confession from a player who would later lift silverware at San Siro. The switch to Napoli, and then to Inter, marked a turning point. The love for Napoli, inherited from his father, was a suffocating embrace, a devotion that made his eventual departure all the more painful. “I cried when they didn’t buy me back,” he recalls, “but I couldn’t know it would be the most incredible journey of my life.” At Inter, he found not just success, but a profound sense of belonging, a club where the roar of San Siro demanded excellence and punished mistakes.
Gigi simoni's enduring lesson: playing for the people
His career took another significant turn at Cremonese under the tutelage of Gigi Simoni, a figure who profoundly shaped his understanding of the game. “He told me, ‘I picked you up from Giarre, never forget where you came from. Always think of all the boys in Potenza who look at you with admiration. Don’t let them down,’” Colonnese explains. Simoni’s lesson – that football is played for the fans, and only for the fans – became a guiding principle throughout his career.
The '98 heartbreak and the bonds that last
The near-miss Scudetto of 1998, lost to Juventus, remains a bittersweet memory, forging an unbreakable bond within the Inter squad. “That defeat gave us an eternal love,” he states. The evidence? A group chat, still active nearly three decades later, connecting Simeone, Ronaldo, and even Taribo West, whose contributions are invariably punctuated with a boisterous “Ullalà!” – a refrain echoing through the years.
Mediation between titans: ronaldo and simeone
Colonnese also played a crucial role in easing tensions between two of football’s greatest rivals: Ronaldo and Diego Simeone. “I was a mediator between two champions, throw in the Brazil-Argentina rivalry…” He describes Simeone as his “best friend in football,” a man whose relentless pursuit of perfection often clashed with Ronaldo’s more freewheeling approach, a dynamic that Simoni strategically managed.
A bitter exit and a proud legacy
His time at Lazio ended acrimoniously, a casualty of the infamous Baraldi plan. “They signed everyone except me and Stam. I was put out of the squad for two years, pure mobbing. I was instinctive, but I don’t regret it. It’s always down to that famous Lucanian pride.”
Today, Colonnese watches his son, Lorenzo, a rising star at Genoa, with justifiable pride. “He plays better than me with the ball, elegant like the defenders of this era,