Sebastiano Nela

Sebastiano Nela (Italian pronunciation: [sebaˈstjaːno ˈneːla]; born 13 March 1961) is an Italian former footballer who played as a defender, usually as an offensive-minded full-back due to his crossing ability with his left foot, as well as his speed, stamina, tenacity, physical strength, and work-rate, which enabled him to make attacking runs down the wing and track back to defend his opponents. A versatile and hard-tackling player, he was capable of playing anywhere across the back-line, both on the left or right flanks, and even in the centre, and was even deployed as a central midfielder on occasion, a position which he had often occupied in his youth.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

Sebastiano Nela
Personal information
Date of birth (1961-03-13) 13 March 1961
Place of birth Rapallo, Italy
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Full-back, centre-back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1981 Genoa 70 (6)
1981–1992 Roma 281 (16)
1992–1994 Napoli 34 (0)
National team‡
1981–1982 Italy U-21 5 (0)
1984–1987 Italy 5 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 8 January 2009[1]

He began his club career with Genoa, and later moved to Roma, where he spent most of his career, winning a Serie A title and three Coppa Italia titles; he retired in 1994, after two seasons Napoli. At international level, he represented the Italy national football team on five occasions between 1984 and 1987, and participated at the 1986 FIFA World Cup and the 1984 Olympics. He is a member of the A.S. Roma Hall of Fame.

Club career

A surly and hard-working left-footed defender, Nela began his career with Genoa.[1] He was bought by Serie A side Roma, making his debut in a 0–0 draw with Avellino on 13 September 1981.[10] He made 28 appearances for the Roma team that won the Scudetto in 1983.[1][10]

Nela was badly injured to his knee in an accident in 1987 and was forced to miss almost a year of football. The singer Antonello Venditti dedicated his song "Correndo correndo", which appears on his 1988 album In questo mondo di ladri, to Nela.[2][11]

Nela left Roma in 1992 to join Napoli having won the Scudetto and three Italian cups. He retired after the 1993–94 season having made a total of 315 appearances in Serie A.

International career

Nela's performances for Roma earned him a call-up to the Italian national team, making his debut against West Germany on 22 May 1984.[12]

Nela made a total of five appearances for the Italian national team between 1984 and 1987.[1][13] Nela was a member of the Italian squad for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, although he did not play; Italy went out in the round of 16.[12] He also made three appearances at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, helping Italy to a fourth-place finish in the tournament.[14]

After retirement

Following his retirement, Nela has worked as a commentator for various national and satellite channels; he currently works for Mediaset Premium.[15]

Honours

Club

Roma[16]

Individual

References
  1. "Nela, Sebastiano". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  2. Massimiliano Castellani (25 July 2013). "L'INTERVISTA. Lo scudetto di Nela: "Ho battuto il cancro"" (in Italian). www.avvenire.it. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  3. "Roma 1982/83: Cuore Giallorosso". Storie di Calcio (in Italian). Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  4. "Sono diciotto gli "Oscar" del calcio. Platini è in testa a tutti" (in Italian). La Stampa Sera. 1 June 1984. p. 11, Sports Section. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  5. Gianni Ranieri (6 May 1983). "Un pokerissimo all'Olimpico per il piatto dello scudetto" (in Italian). La Stampa Sera. p. 31. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  6. "Vierchowod uomo in più, Nappy jolly". La Stampa (in Italian). 10 May 1983. p. 20. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  7. Alberto Polverosi (31 December 2013). "GALLI "TUTTI SANNO SEGNARE MA PARARE SOTTO IL SETTE…"" (in Italian). www.cinquantamila.it. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  8. Ammiraglio Byrd (30 November 2017). "Sebino Nela storia di un terzino strepitoso" (in Italian). calciomercato.com. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  9. Elena Rossin (24 June 2012). "ESCLUSIVA TMW – Sebino Nela: "Alla Roma servono quattro difensori"" (in Italian). www.tuttomercatoweb.com. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
  10. "Il Campionato 1982-'83" (in Italian). Geocities. 22 July 1999. Archived from the original on 25 October 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  11. ""Lacrime di...gioia" per sensi?" (in Italian). Splinder.com. 3 August 2006. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  12. "Italy – International Matches 1980–1989". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 6 June 2002. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  13. "Nela, Sebastiano" (in Italian). FIGC. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  14. "Sebastiano Nela". FIFA. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  15. "Eurosport to host Sebastiano Nela on Malta visit". The Malta Independent. 27 July 2007. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2009.
  16. "Palmarès" (in Italian). A.S. Roma. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
  17. "Hall of Fame" (in Italian). A.S. Roma. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
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