New York Cosmos legend Giorgio Chinaglia, American soccer’s original bad boy and the North American Soccer League’s all-time leading scorer, passed away yesterday at his home in Naples, Fla., due to complications from a heart attack. Chinaglia was 65.
Chinaglia was considered the greatest player in Lazio history when he came to New York in 1976, and, at 28, was the first star to join the NASL while still in his prime. He played with superstars Pele and Franz Beckenbauer, making the Cosmos a cultural phenomenal with his outsized personality and scoring touch.
His 242 goals in 254 games, playoffs included, did not fully tell the tale of his persona. If Reggie Jackson was the straw that stirred the drink in the Yankees’ Bronx Zoo, Chinaglia was the heart that got the blood pumping for the Cosmos. And with the revival of the Cosmos brand in 2010, he had become an ambassador of the club he led to four NASL titles.
“Giorgio Chinaglia was one of the most exceptional soccer players to ever play in the United States and the New York Cosmos’ greatest player ever,’’ the Cosmos said in a statement. “Our condolences and thoughts are with Giorgio’s family at this time.’’
Chinaglia was among the most colorful characters soccer has ever seen, and was once voted the greatest player in Lazio history. He had an arrest warrant issued for him in Rome on charges he was involved with an organized-crime outfit trying to influence the share prices of the Italian club, charges he always denied.
Since those accusations, he had been living in the U.S. and co-hosting “The Football Show” on Sirius XM radio since 2006. His son, Anthony, confirmed the death through family friend Charlie Stillitano, Chinaglia’s partner on the show.
“All those who love the sport and listened to him share his stories and incredible knowledge of the game are better for the experience,” SiriusXM said in a release. “He will be missed.’’
Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport first reported that Chinaglia recently had a heart attack. He helped lead Lazio to its first Italian league title in 1974, and later became the club’s president.
Chinaglia — who was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2000 — played in the 1974 World Cup for Italy. He had four goals in 14 total appearances with the Azzurri, but his national team career was cut short by a dust-up with the coach.
Typical Chinaglia: never plain, never boring.