The versatile Italian striker who mastered the art of the free-kick
In short: Enrico Chiesa was more than just a prolific goalscorer. From his clinical finishes in Serie A to a shared record with Alessandro Del Piero, his career was defined by a rare combination of technical precision and an uncanny ability to impact games from the bench.
Born in Genoa on 29 December 1970, Enrico Chiesa emerged as a premier attacking force in Italian football during the 1990s. Known for his stamina and a powerful shot capable of using either foot, he was a versatile forward who could operate as a winger or an auxiliary attacker. His technical prowess was particularly evident in his set-piece delivery; he sits joint ninth on the all-time list of Serie A free-kick scorers with 13 goals, a feat shared by legends like Michel Platini.
Chiesa's club career was marked by significant silverware and high-profile transfers. During a highly successful period with Parma in the late 1990s, he secured the UEFA Cup, Coppa Italia, and Supercoppa Italiana. He notably finished as the top scorer of the 1998–99 UEFA Cup with 8 goals. His move to Fiorentina in 1999 for 28 billion lire (€14.46 million) was a major statement of intent, though his time there was later hampered by a severe knee injury sustained against Venezia in the 2001–02 season.
On the international stage, Chiesa earned 22 caps for Italy between 1996 and 2001, scoring 7 goals. He was a key figure in squads for Euro 1996 and the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He holds a unique distinction alongside Alessandro Del Piero for scoring the most goals as an Italian international substitute (5). After retiring in 2010, he transitioned into coaching, though his initial tenure at Figline was cut short by the club's exclusion from the Italian leagues.
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