Actually let me clarify that. Not even his voice, but maybe one single word.

Before I get to that word though, a quick bio about the man…

The subject today is José Altafini, a Brazilian born Italian.

“Altafini played for Palmeiras in Brazil, before he began his career in Italy with AC Milan in 1958. He made his debut on September 21, 1958, and, in his first season, played 32 games and scored 28 goals, winning the title along the way. Milan won the title again in 1962, when Altafini was the league’s joint top scorer with 22 goals in 33 games.

In 1965, Altafini joined Napoli, where he stayed until 1972. After his time at Napoli he joined Juventus.

By the time he left Juventus in 1976, Altafini had played 459 games in Serie A and had scored 216 goals.”

As well as all this Altafini had the rare distinction of playing for the Brazilian and then the Italian national team. This was in the days before they changed the rules. Plus he became a naturalised Italian which helped.

After his retirement Altafini eventually became a pundit on Sky Italia, which is where that word comes into play…

The word ? Well in the UK in the 90′s everybody was given a bad translation.

It wasn’t:

It was in fact:

‘Golaccio’

But… that Portuguese word doesn’t actually translate to Italian too well.
- This is from an old Guardian Football Weekly podcast, where James Richardson, the presenter of Channel 4′s Football Italia answers a question about the sample used in the programme’s title:

[See post to listen to audio]

Before the Football Italia theme, the co-creator Steve Duberry was in a band called Definitive Two who’s total output was this one release in 1992:

[See post to listen to audio] » Definitive Two – I’m Stronger Now

As you can hear it is a very familiar tune.

Duberry then took this, along with a sample of Altafini first used by J. Saul Kane in this Depth Charge single done two years earlier and came up with:

[See post to listen to audio] » Channel 4 Football Italia Theme

So there you have it, Jose Altafini sampled.

But you know that’s not the real reason why we are here and I’m writing about him. Yes that’s right he did the same as Chinaglia and recorded a song:

[See post to listen to audio] » Jose Altafini – La Rosa

If you want to have a further laugh then have a read of the (Google Translated) lyrics here.

To finish off we’ll go back to Football Italia and this video of the best goals from the ’94-95 season:

It’s not just with the recent headlines about Silvio Berlusconi, he is a subject which the Guardian could fill their entire paper. Front page with the politics, inside section about the alleged bribes. Then the business section, the gossip column and finally… the football.

Before we get down and dirty with Il Cavaliere, let’s give his club a mention:

I really don’t have to say too much because you have to be living in a cave not to know about AC Milan – pronounced “Meeeeeeeeeelan” when you are reading the name out loud. (@acjimbo)

Currently they have many household names in their squad, such as Pato, van Bommel, Inzaghi, Seedorf, Cassano…Zlatan…Robinho… all internationals, all world class.

Not forgetting their past managers such as Capello and Ancelloti, as well as playing legends Baresi and Maldini.

Milan is one of the most successful clubs in Italy, having won a total of 29 trophies. The club is ranked as the seventh richest football club in the world by Forbes magazine, making it the richest in Italian football.

Despite being involved in the 2006 scandal, after an appeal A.C Milan were allowed to participate in the Champions League which they won for the seventh time:

I could go on but as I said you know all about them.

- I did something about Jesus Gil the other day but listen, but compared to Silvio… he is small fry. Not even a small fry. A speck of dust on his trousers.

His business

According to Forbes, Berlusconi is Italy’s third richest man, owning assets in the fields of television, newspapers, publishing, cinema, finance, banking and insurance.. His main company run three national television channels, he has Italy’s largest advertising and publicity agency. There’s the publishing house, the newspaper… oh and don’t forget he’s a major shareholder in one of the the ten largest private companies in Italy. He also co-founded one of the country’s biggest banking and insurance groups. Plus his interests in cinema and home video distribution.

And of course – he owns A.C Milan.

His politics

Berlusconi formed the Forza Italia party and in 1994, with the help of a massive campaign broadcast on his three TV networks, he won the general election for his first stay as Prime Minister. But this was short lived. Word got out that the Milan magistrates were investigating his alleged Mafia ties, with the speculation and efforts of his opposition, his government collapsed.

But you can never keep a good man (?) down and after a successful May 2001 general election he became Prime Minister again. He stayed in office this time until 2006.

But you can never keep… Only two years later he was to run once more and at the time of posting…. Silvio is still the Prime Minister.

I've very simplified what is a long and complicated political career. Click here to read the entire entry.

His legal issues

Right then… *rolls up sleeves*… Berlusconi has been fighting legal battles as long as he’s been Prime Minister. The past cases against him include bribery of judges, bribe to Bettino Craxi via an offshore bank account, false accounting (six times on this but each time the case was dropped), embezzlement, tax evasion (aquitted), Trafficing of drugs, Mafia collusion and money laundering.

All of these cases were either dropped trials, acquitted or archived for variation of the law (a law which the Berlusconi government very conveniently changed).

- There was a recent trial involving David Mills, husband of Tessa Jowell. It was known as “Jowellgate”:

David Mills, lawyer husband of the British cabinet minister Tessa Jowell, acted for Berlusconi in the early 1990s, and was later accused by Italian prosecutors of money laundering and of accepting a gift from Berlusconi in return for witness evidence favourable to Berlusconi given in court. Mills claimed that the money in question came not from Berlusconi but from another client. Tessa Jowell then announced her separation from Mills, which some of the UK media suggested was an attempt to distance herself from a potential scandal. She also denied having discussed the money with her husband.

In December 2010, information obtained from the Wikileaks website revealed Mr Berlusconi had become very fond of Ms Jowell, referring to her in private company as ‘piccolo puntaspilli’ (the little pincushion).

On 17 February 2009, Mills was found guilty of accepting a bribe of about 400,000 pounds sterling, allegedly from Silvio Berlusconi, and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison; the appeal ended on 25 February 2010, when the Supreme Court of Cassation ruled that the statute of limitations had expired, and so Mills had committed the crime but was no longer punishable for it.

As you can see Berlusconi is a bit like the Teflon Don in that no matter how many times he has been tried, nobody can make anything stick to Silvio. But…

I’m really going to shorten things now because this one could go on forever – Let’s fast forward to his most recent scandals. Yes scandals plural.

This latest series of events started back in April 2009 when Silvio attendance at a girl’s 18th birthday party in Naples. His wife was furious and filed for divorce. She claimed that Berlusconi had not attended his own sons’ 18th birthday parties, and that she “cannot remain with a man who consorts with minors” and “is not well”.

Noemi Letizia, the girl in question, gave interviews to the Italian press, revealing that she calls Berlusconi “papi” (“daddy”), that they often spent time together in the past, and that Berlusconi would take care of her career as showgirl or politician, whichever she opted to pursue.

In June 2009, Patrizia D’Addario, a 42-year old escort from Bari, claimed that she had been recruited twice (by a common friend, who paid her 2000 Euros) in order to spend the evening, and once also the night with Berlusconi. Magistrates in Bari are investigating this case, since the common friend could be prosecuted for favouring prostitution.

Other young women have also described to the press the parties held in Berlusconi’s Rome residence while photos and transcripts of audio cassettes circulated widely in the press.

In November 2010, teenage Moroccan belly dancer and alleged prostitute Karima El Mahroug (better known with the nickname of Ruby Rubacuori) claimed to have been given $10,000 by Berlusconi at parties at his private villas. The girl told prosecutors in Milan that these events were like orgies where Berlusconi and 20 young women performed an African-style ritual known as the “bunga bunga” in the nude. This scandal known as Rubygate.
It was later discovered El Maroug was previously arrested but was released after Silvio made a couple of calls.

Oh and finally for now… Berlusconi has also come under fire for reportedly spending 1.8 million Euros in state funds to further the career of a largely unknown Bulgarian actress, Michelle Bonev.

I’ve got to stop there because as you can see, this is getting very long… F’nar… Let’s switch to:

The music

Ah you lucky people you’ll never guess what. Even with all these other distractions Silvio had time for music, but not just for listening, he got very involved.

Quite a few years ago Berlusconi was dining in Naples when he was serenaded by Mariano Apicella, a Neapolitan guitarist. Silvio took this discovery and helped to co-write three albums. Below is a sample song, plus a video of Apicella performing live… sorry that should be…. Burlusconi introducing a live performance of Mariano Apicella but then ends up singing himself:

[See post to listen to audio] » Mariano Apicella – Meglio ‘na Canzone

» Link to video

Going back to these sex scandals for a moment… Below is a mashup of a telephone interview with Patrizia D’Addario, the prostitute who describes what Berlusconi wanted her to do to his “girlfriend”. The music used on the clip is a song by an English language Italian band Belladonna. The original song after the video.

- But not everybody has it in for Silvio, there’s another singer Loriana Lana (yes you can click on that link, she keeps her clothes on) and (yes she had dealings with Berlusconi, they co-wrote songs together). Ms Lana sings Berlusconi’s praises in this one:

[See post to listen to audio] » Loriana Lana – Silvio Forever

And finally… We’ve got to wrap this up so we might as well go back to the beginning. Back to the football. As mentioned Berlusconi has a musical bent and has co-written a number of tunes, including this anthem for his club:

[See post to listen to audio] » Tony Renis – Milan ! Milan !

INT: ROVERS RETURN

WIDE SHOT - LOOKING TOWARDS THE DOOR. BET IS BEHIND THE BAR.

D.Becks on crutches bundles himself through the door looking upset.

BETTY: “Oh hey up lovvy. Wharrhavyadone ?”

DAVEY: “I pulled me leg. Now I can’t play anymore.”

BETTY: “Ah thatsashame luve…I’ll put a hotpot on foryer..that’ll mekitbetter.”

BACK TO WIDE SHOT - LOOKING FROM THE BAR TO THE DOOR AGAIN.

Brown.P enters looking glum. Davey looks around and greets him.

DAVEY: “Oh ‘ello Philby… What are you looking so happy about ?”

[[EDITORS NOTE: HE ISN'T THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE BOX, BUT WAS STILL USEFUL TO BRING IN LATE ON TO HELP FINISH THE JOB]]

PHILBY: “The buggers have just laid me off…haven’t even finished the job yet.”

DAVEY: “Ah that’s a shame. Where were you ?”

PHILBY: “I wasn’t done there at Boothferry Park…” [[EDITORS NOTE: YES I KNOW THEY DON'T PLAY THERE ANY MORE, ARTISTIC LICENCE]]

PHILBY: “A cupple of me lads had a bit of bother the other day, right in front of the WI when they were supping their tea, but I said sorry for them. Then today tha boss comes straight up to me with a pair of scissors and cuts me cable. Look at it….Buggers…”

DAVEY: “That was only a Fisher Price radio you know. It didn’t really work.”

PHILBY: “Yeah but they din’t know that diddey ?..Heh, heh…Any hows never mind me – What ‘appened to you ?”

DAVEY (with a tear in his eye): “I was having a kickaround with me mates in Meelan…you know…behind Meelans…” CUT AWAY SHOT OF A SUPERMARKET THAT LOOKS LIKE ALDI BUT HAS A MEELAN SIGN ON IT..”on the rec there and then all of a sudden me leg starts hurting and I can’t go no more.”

PHILBY: “Ah that a bad one for you kidder, I know you were looking forward to playing in that Over 35-doing anything he can to keep playing even though he’s slowed down and only has that one trick up his sleeve tourney in South Adlington.”

PHILBY: “You still got your job modelling underwear for the Kays catalogue ? You could still do that. They could put a towel over that plaster, nobody would notice.”

DAVEY: “Yeah and I’ve still got me mates over in’t States…sorry Staines… who will givvus. I’m half knackered but they don’t know eh. – But whattabou you ?”

PHILBY: “Ah I’ve still got me van…and then there’s the Kareoke…I’ll be okay…”

MEANWHILE IN THE BACKGROUND CURLY AND LLOYD ENTER THE BAR AND HEAD STRAIGHT OVER TO A BOOTH. BETTY COMES OVER WITHIN HALF A SECOND OF THEM SITTING DOWN AND PUTS A COUPLE OF PINTS IN FRONT OF THEM AND A HOTPOT. CURLY AND LLOYD CONTINUE TO ARGUE ABOUT WHO'S SIDE IS GOING TO BOTTLE THE CHANCE FOR FORTH.

: END SCENE

» Bell/Spurling – Goldenballs (Mr Beckham To You)	» The Man In Brown Black – I Want To Go Home

More from D.Becks and Brown.P below:

Don’t really need to introduce you to the man who said those now famous words…

… But I’m still going to because I like to fill in some space before I post the music.

The son of a Afro-Surinamese migrant and his mistress, Ruud Gullit started playing and developed his football skills on the street. In 1978 he signed for (the now defunct) HFC Haarlem by the coach and former West Brom player Barry Hughes. In his time there he scored 32 goals in 91 appearances. Then in 1982 he moved to Feyenoord and Ruud played alongside Johan Cruijff. The season after they won the league and cup double plus Gullit was named the Dutch Footballer of the Year. There was another move in 1985 when he signed for PSV and bagged 46 goals in 68 league appearances as well as another Footballer of the Year award.

By now, with his international performances also gaining attention, it was AC Milan who came calling in the form of that shrinking violet Silvio Berlusconi who paid a then record fee for him. Gullit slotted into a team that already had his compatriots Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, along with Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi. More success came to him and the club when they won their first Scudetto in 9 years. In the following seasons Milan won back-to-back European Cups.

With his playing career and himself slowing down Gullit was signed to Chelsea by Glenn Hoddle, initially to play as a sweeper but eventually moved into midfield where he started scoring goals.
A year later Hoddle would leave to become another disappointing England manager and Ruud was appointed as the player-manager. Then a season later he led Chelsea to their first major trophy in 26 years when they won the FA Cup.

That first time as a boss was the highlight of his management career because after this…   well let’s get to the tunes shall we ?

Winding back to 1984 when Ruud was the darling of the (Dutch) game. Feyenoord had won the double plus Gullit had won his first Footballer of the Year award. He was in the papers all the time and he could do no wrong.

Then the big fan of reggae music did what every other footballer does when this spotlight is shone upon them. He released a single:

» Ruud Gullit – Not The Dancing Kind

A turgid effort but it didn’t matter to his fans, one remark I spotted said:

“This actually made the top 10 in the Netherlands, but Ruud was so popular back then that a record of him farting would have made the top 10 too.”

In 1987 a Dutch reggae band who Ruud had befriended (he had even occasionally played bass with them) released a single in praise of the dreadlocked midfielder:

» Revelation Time – Captain Dread (live) - Video

Sample lyrics:
"He runs like lightning / Thunder when he kicks the ball / Don't try to stop him / Natty dreadlocks a go pass them all
Captain dread / Captain dreadlocks at the ball / Captain Dread, natty dread /Bongo natty dreadlocks in full control"

In that same year Ruud had won the Ballon d’Or and in his acceptance speech he brought attention to South Africa’s apartheid regime.   Via an article in The Times:

The gesture was intended to raise awareness. It certainly raised eyebrows. Ruud Gullit, 25 years old at the time, had just been named European Footballer of the Year and, on receiving the award, he dedicated it to the world’s most famous political prisoner. “This is for Nelson Mandela,” declared the Dutchman, then of AC Milan. “In Italy,” Gullit recalls with a smile, “that made a big stir. There wasn’t such an activism about apartheid over there.”

Then in 1988 he got together with the Revelation Time band to record a single, once again to raise awareness of what was going on with South Africa:

» Revelation Time (feat. Ruud Gullit) – South Africa

So what has Ruud been up to lately…?
He’s been named as the president of the joint bid by Belgium and The Netherlands to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
Other bidder they are up against include England, the USA, Australia, Spain/Portugal, and Japan.

Plus I’m sure he will be on some pundit couch for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa – In which he wants to see Holland win ugly.

I wanted to pay tribute to the footballing legend who was always one of the first names I added in my fantasy football selections.

Maldini played for 22 years for the same club and look what he won in that time:

Serie A: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
Coppa Italia: 2003
Italian Super Cup: 1988, 1992, 1993, 1994, 2005
UEFA Champions League: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007
European Super Cup: 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007
Intercontinental Cup: 1989, 1990
FIFA Club World Cup: 2007

Sadly no European or World Cup medals, but look at how many Serie A titles. Look at how many Champions League trophies. He will be unmatched by anybody for a long time.

I would imagine he’ll follow his Dad and go into coaching.
There is another generation of Maldini by the way – his 12 year old son plays for the Milan youth team.

- Henri Winter in the Telegraph did a good write up about him in this article dated 4th December 2007.

I wanted to find an appropriate song to accompany this tribute (Simply The Best obviously ruled out and banned straight away) and the one I thought of is from Pink Floyd who actually wrote it in tribute to Syd Barrett.

Taken from a live concert in Madison Square Garden in 1977:

[See post to listen to audio]
» Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond (Live at Madison Square Garden)

Maybe not the best one. If you can think of a more fitting song post it in the comments.