Biography
Pierluigi Collina is a legendary figure in football, considered by many to be one of the greatest referees in the history of the sport. Born on February 13, 1960, in Bologna, Italy, Collina was instantly recognizable on the field thanks to his distinctive bald head and ability to concentrate.
His international refereeing career spanned from 1995 to 2004, seeing him officiate some of the sport’s most prestigious matches, including the 1999 and 2002 UEFA Champions League Finals, as well as like the 2002 FIFA World Cup final between Brazil and Germany.
Known for his rigorous training regimen, deep understanding of the rules of the game and command, Collina commanded widespread respect from players and coaches alike.
After retiring as a referee, he remained influential in football as a member of the UEFA Referees Committee and, through his role as ambassador, advocated fair play and the integrity of the game. .
Former Italian association football referee
Pierluigi Collina | |
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Pierluigi Collina: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photos | |
Wiki Info & About Data | |
Real name: | Pierluigi Collina |
Born: | February 13, 1960 (64 years old) |
Place of birth: | Bologna, Italy |
Nationality: | Italian |
Education: | University of BolognaA |
Height: | 1.80 m |
Parents: | Elia Collina, Luciana Collina |
Siblings: | not applicable |
Couple: | Gianna Collina |
Girlfriend • Partner: | not applicable |
The children: | 2 |
Job: | Referee |
Net worth: | 4 million USD (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Pierluigi Collina was born on February 13, 1960 in Bologna, Italy, to Elia and Luciana Collina. As an only child, he developed an early passion for football, initially playing as a center back for a local Bologna team. In 1977, encouraged by a friend, he turned to refereeing, where his innate ability to manage matches and maintain order quickly became apparent.
Collina pursued her education at University of Bolognadegree in economics in 1984. This achievement reflected his dedication to both the intellectual and physical fields, qualities that would shape his distinguished career in arbitration.
As a referee, Collina officiated some of football’s most prestigious matches, including the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final and the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final. His bald head and intense stare made him easily recognizable, but his exceptional understanding of the game and steadfast commitment to fairness have earned him respect the world over.
After retiring in 2005, Collina remained deeply involved in football. He worked as a consultant for the Italian Football Referees Association, served as Head of the Referee Committee of the Ukrainian Football Federation and worked with the UEFA Referees Committee. Notably, he played a key role in implementing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, further cementing his legacy in enhancing the integrity of the sport.
Career
Pierluigi Collina began his refereeing career in 1977, officiating matches in the local league in Bologna. His rise was rapid and in the late 1980s and early 1990s he worked as a referee in Serie A, Italy’s top football league. Renowned for his physical strength, keen understanding of the game and command on the field, Collina quickly earned a reputation for excellence.
In 1995, he became a FIFA referee, marking the beginning of his international career. He officiated the semi-finals at Euro 1996, setting the stage for even more high-profile assignments. One of the highlights of his career was the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United, where the bold decision to send off David Beckham demonstrated his ability to make difficult decisions under immense pressure. your big.
Collina’s most famous moment was at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he officiated the final between Brazil and Germany. His flawless performance in this high-stakes match cemented his legacy as one of the greatest referees in football history.
Collina remained active in the sport after retiring in 2005 while at the peak of her career. He undertook a variety of roles, including working as an unpaid advisor to the Italian Football Referees Association, becoming Head of the Referees Committee of the Ukrainian Football Federation and playing a key role in the UEFA Referees Committee .
A key part of his lasting influence on football was his involvement in the development and implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which aimed to improve the accuracy of decision-making. set on the field.
Collina has received many awards throughout his career and beyond, including the prestigious 2005 Golden Whistle Award from the International Federation of Football History & Statistics. His inclusion in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world further highlights his far-reaching impact in football and on the global stage.
Social Media
- Instagram: Pierluigi Collina (@collinaofficial)
- IMDb: Pierluigi Collina
Personal life
Pierluigi Collina, famous Italian soccer referee, is married to Gianna Collina. While details about their relationship and how they met have not been widely shared, Gianna has been mentioned in relation to Collina’s life outside of football, giving a glimpse into her side. his personal.
The couple have two children, although Collina keeps his family life private, consistent with his approach of shielding personal matters from the public eye.
Collina is about 1.80 meters tall. His height and bald head (due to alopecia) contributed to his striking and recognizable presence on the football field.
Sick
Pierluigi Collina’s distinctive appearance, especially her eyes, are often the subject of curiosity. Many attribute this unique appearance to a condition called keratoconus, which is not extensively detailed in his public records or personal statements but is occasionally implicated in his case. grandfather.
Keratoconus is a condition in which the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. This can lead to significant visual impairment due to the natural dome-shaped distortion of the cornea. Although Collina never explicitly confirmed keratoconus as his diagnosis, his eye condition was speculated to be due to his distinctive gaze, which could suggest a corneal abnormality. .
Regarding eye disease, while information directly linking Collina to a specific eye disease other than potential keratoconus is not clearly documented in widely accessible sources, his overall health, mainly related to his eyes, which is sometimes a topic of interest due to his status as a public figure.
Net worth
Pierluigi Collina, the famous Italian soccer referee, has amassed an estimated net worth of $4 million. This fortune largely comes from his illustrious career of officiating some of the highest profile matches in football, including the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup finals. In his later years, his international arbitration fees reached $700,000 annually, reflecting his expertise and need for presence on the field.
In addition to income from refereeing, Collina is also active in the field of football management. His role as Head of Referees of the Ukrainian Football Federation and contributions to the refereeing committees of UEFA and FIFA may bring more financial rewards, although the specifics of the This compensation package is not publicly announced.
Collina’s financial success also extended to the commercial sector. He has landed endorsement deals, including a notable partnership with Opel, which has caused controversy due to potential conflicts of interest. However, the deal highlights his marketing prowess and his continued influence in the sport, especially with innovations such as the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. ), suggesting an additional revenue stream through his long-standing presence in football.