Giuseppe VAVASSORI 1961-66
Beppe started his career at Juventus and also played for the Italian national team. During a game for the Azzurri, the young goalkeeper was responsible for a defeat against England in 1961 so the Bianconeri decided to sell him to Catania. But it didn’t take him long to show his true value in the Elefantini shirt. By far the best No 1 in the Sicilian club’s history.
Claudio RANIERI 1982-84
The Tinkerman was a solid member of the Sicilians’ team for two seasons, making 92 appearances and netting once. Ranieri started his career at Roma, where he was initially a striker but then became a right-back. He joined Catania from Catanzaro and also played for Palermo. As a Coach he has taken the reins at several top clubs and is now in charge at Juventus.
Enzo BEARZOT 1951-54
Arrived at Catania on loan from Inter. He was a versatile footballer, able to play both as a central defender and as a defensive midfielder. Bearzot led the Sicilians to their first promotion to Serie A in 1954, but his greatest moment was coaching Italy to World Cup glory 1982.
Mario CORTI 1957-64
Mariolino was Catania’s captain for four seasons in the top flight. He started his career at Sampdoria before moving on to Monza and was then sold to the Rossoblu in 1957. He was a true leader and used to cover every defensive position. The sweeper left Catania in 1964 to join Paternò, where he ended his career. He is now living in Australia.
Giorgio MICHELOTTI 1959-67
This solid central defender spent eight seasons at Catania, making over 150 appearances for the Sicilians. The Libyan born full-back was an important member of the Rossoblu’s defence during their Serie A adventure in the 1960s. He was also Catania boss for one season in the ‘80s.
Amedeo BIAVATI 1934-35
Biavati spent only a single season at Catania, but his dribbling became legendary. He was a talented right-winger, elegant and fast despite his ‘flat feet’. Biavati was the inventor of the double-step trick. He won two Serie A titles with Bologna and also played for the Italian national team.
Damiano MORRA 1975-84
Morra was President Angelo Massimino’s favourite player. This Argentine midfielder is Catania’s most capped man with 281 appearances. During his last season with the Sicilians he won promotion to Serie A. He is now a Coach, but he has never really managed to emerge in that role.
CINESINHO 1963-65
This Brazilian wing wizard played at Catania for only two seasons, but he is still remembered as one of the Rossoblu’s best ever players. He started at Palmeiras and then moved to Modena. With Catania he played in 59 games, scoring four goals. In 1964 he joined Juventus and won the Scudetto three seasons later. He is now a youth team Coach at Modena.
Guido KLEIN 1950-56
Klein was born in Rome of German parents. After two seasons at Stuttgart he moved to Catania, where he stayed for six campaigns. He is the club’s joint top scorer, along with Adelmo Prenna, having netted 47 goals for the Rossoblu. However, Klein scored only once in the top flight.
Gionatha SPINESI 2005-
Il Gabbiano is not just Catania’s past, but he is the future too. The Pisa-born striker joined the Rossoblu from Arezzo in 2005. He was the leader of the promotion side in 2006, becoming Serie B Capocannoniere in the process. ‘The Tower of Pisa’ has scored 40 goals in 70 appearances with the Sicilians. He is Catania’s top scorer in a single Serie A season.
Adelmo PRENNA 1958-64
Memo is simply the history of Catania. This fantastic striker arrived in Sicily after two seasons at Spal. Prenna is Catania’s all-time top scorer in Serie A with 29 goals in four seasons and an overall total of 47 with the Rossoblu. He then moved on to Napoli, but came back to live in Catania soon after. In 1973 he also managed the Sicilians for several months.
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Coached Catania for 13 seasons. Don Carmelo was the architect of the promotion to the top flight in 1960. Di Bella, who also represented the Rossoblu as a player, proudly led the Elefantini for six Serie A campaigns in a row in what is remembered as Catania’s best era. He was a futuristic tactician with an attacking mentality. 