Juventus legend Giampiero Boniperti dies, aged 92

Juventus legend and honorary president Giampiero Boniperti has died at the age of 92, the Serie A club announced.

“This is the news we never wanted to give you,” a Juventus official statement said.

“Today, 18 June 2021, we bid farewell to Giampiero Boniperti, who passed away in Turin at the age of 92. This emotion we are all feeling right now will not prevent us from thinking fondly of him for everything our President was and will always be in Juventus’ life.

“An indelible figure, who, as of today, is handed over to memory because he has been in the history of football for some time. Because when you express a thought, and that thought becomes part of the DNA of the club you have dedicated your life to, it means that your character has become its identity and way of being. Forever.”

Boniperti would have turned 93 on July 4 and according to reports in Italy, he died from heart failure.

Boniperti spent his entire playing career at Juventus, winning five Serie A titles between 1950 and 1961. He was part of one of the most iconic teams in the history of Italian football and formed the ‘Magic Trio’ with John Charles and Omar Sivori.

His famous “Winning isn’t important at Juventus, it’s the only thing that matters” is the club’s motto and explains the Old Lady’s DNA more than anything else. He became Juventus President in 1971, remaining in charge until 1990 and was named Honorary President in 2006.

Boniperti scored eight goals in 38 appearances with Italy national team.

He is the second all-time best scorer in the history of Juventus with 182 goals.