Ugo Locatelli


Ugo Locatelli was an Italian international footballer who played as a midfielder or as a forward. Regarded as one of Italy's greatest players, he won a gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics and a winner's medal at the 1938 FIFA World Cup while playing with the Italy national football team, and is only one of four Italian players to have managed this achievement.

Club career

Locatelli was born in Toscolano-Maderno, near Brescia, Lombardy. At club level, he had a successful career, winning the Scudetto twice with Internazionale, in 1938 and 1940. He first played for Brescia between 1933 and 1936, aside from a brief loan to Atalanta, before transferring over to Inter, which was known as Ambrosiana Inter Milan at the time, where he remained until 1941. He ended his career with Juventus in 1949 following his transfer to the club in 1941, winning the Coppa Italia in 1942.

International career

A midfielder in Vittorio Pozzo's Italian national teams, he appeared in 22 matches for the azzurri, first playing in the first round match in the 1936 Summer Olympics versus the United States, as Italy went on to win a gold medal in the tournament. He later also went on to win a winner's medal at the 1938 FIFA World Cup with Italy, and was named to the All-Star Team of the tournament. Locatelli is one of only four Italians to have been doubly honoured at the Olympics and a World Cup; he never appeared on a losing side for the Italian national team.

Style of play

Locatelli, was a small, quick, and agile player, with good technique, who also possessed an accurate shot, despite his lack of striking power. He initially began his career as a centre-forward, and was later deployed as a defensive central midfielder whilst at Juventus under Umberto Caligaris. During his time with Atalanta, he also played as an offensive central midfielder.

Honours

Club

Brescia
Ambrosiana Inter
Juventus
Italy