January 24th marks the birthday of Giorgio Chinaglia, who would’ve been 74 years old in 2021. The former Lazio striker made his name in Rome with the Biancocelesti.
From 1969 to 1976, Chinaglia made 246 appearances for Lazio, where he scored 122 goals for the Italian side. The striker, known as “Long John,” left a long-lasting impact on the club.
Chinaglia’s 1974 season with the Biancocelesti remains etched in stone as it would be the club’s first Scudetto. Chinaglia scored 24 goals in 30 Serie A fixtures and 34 goals in all competitions that campaign for Lazio.
After departing Lazio, Chinaglia came to the United States where he assisted 213 goals and scored 193 goals for the New York Cosmos, which was the last club the Italy international played for before hanging up his boots.
The former Lazio striker passed away in 2012 due to a heart attack in his Naples, Florida home. Chinaglia’s body was brought back to Rome for burial at Cimitero Flaminio, in the Maestrelli family’s chapel, where former Lazio coach Tommaso Maestrelli is buried.
