Inter legend Mauro Bellugi passed away of Covid complications on Saturday. He was 71 years old and had recently suffered amputation of both legs. Bellugi still kept his morale high and even managed to joke about it, complaining that “they took away from me the leg with which I scored my only goal at Inter!”
He seemed to be making a good recovery and former Inter President Massimo Moratti offered to pay for his medical expenses. Unfortunately, further complications proved fatal to him. Tomorrow Inter players will honor his memory by wearing a black armband during the derby against Milan.
Born in 1950 near Siena, Mauro Bellugi was a rock-solid defender who had a 12-year career in Serie A between 1969 and 1981 wearing the jerseys of Inter, Bologna, Napoli, and Pistoiese. However, the Nerazzurri always maintained a special place in his heart: “My family is at Inter, I have them in my heart,” he once said.
Bellugi’s only goal with Inter came during a European Cup match against Borussia Moenchengladbach. It was supposed to be the second leg of a Round of 16 match-up, but the first game – which the Germans unexpectedly won 7-1 – was invalidated as a Inter player was hit by a can thrown by the opposition supporters. The Nerazzurri won 4-2 at the San Siro, also thanks to Bellugi’s goal, and went on to tie the first leg re-match to advance to the next stage.
Overall, Mauro Bellugi collected 227 Serie A caps, 90 of which with Inter. He also featured for Italy in 32 occasions between 1972 and 1980. He was part of coach Ferruggio Valcareggi’s Azzurri roster for the 1974 World Cup but was never deployed. He eventually became a regular starter and, four years later, he featured in all but one game played by Italy at the World Cup in Argentina.
The Cult of Calcio Staff wish to express their condolences to the Bellugi Family. The history of Italian football lost another piece.