One of the finest defenders (and there a lot to choose from) that Italy has ever produced; Alessandro ‘Billy’ Costacurta was born today in 1966.
Seven times a scuddeto winner in 458 appearances with the Rossoneri, Costacurta really was a one club man. His only other playing venture away from AC Milan was a single season on loan at Monza is his formative years.
An absolute rock for club and country for almost two decades, Costacurta still holds the record as the oldest player to play in a Champions League match at 40 years, 211 days.
And the nickname Billy? Costacurta is a huge fan of the basketball team Olympia Milano, who were sponsored by a fruit drink company called ‘Billy’ in the early 80s. As basketball teams in Italy were known by their sponsor names at the time, the name stuck.
Here’s a nice tribute.
Click the image to watch.
