Luciano Vassalo
Encyclopedia
Luciano Vassalo (born in Asmara
, Eritrea
) is a former Ethiopia
n footballer of Eritrean and Italian origin. He is the most capped international football
in Ethiopian history. He is known for his skill, and mostly for his volleys, free kicks and penalties. He played professionally with Saint-George SA
along with his brother Italo
.
Luciano played for the Ethiopia national football team
in the qualifying rounds for the 1962 FIFA World Cup
. With his brother Italo, Luciano was part of the 1962 African Cup of Nations
campaign when Ethiopia won their only trophy to date. Luciano, captain of the team, scored 2 goals in the semifinal against Tunisia and was tied for third highest scorer in the tournament, and was named player of the tournament, the only Ethiopian to claim that award. He was personally handed the trophy by His Highness Haile Selassie. In 2006, CAF
began the selection for the best African footballer in the last fifty years. Luciano, along with legendary teammate and friend Mengistu Worku
were selected in the group of the top 50 players, as the only Ethiopians, but were not selected in the final 30, where Roger Milla
was named number one.
Many consider Vassalo to be the best Ethiopian footballer in history, after Mengistu Worku and Ydnekatchew Tessema
. After retirement, he had a short stint in coaching, with the then Dire Dawa Cotton FC.
Asmara
Asmara is the capital city and largest settlement in Eritrea, home to a population of around 579,000 people...
, Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
) is a former Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
n footballer of Eritrean and Italian origin. He is the most capped international football
Ethiopia national football team
The Ethiopia national football team represents Ethiopia in association football and is controlled by the Ethiopian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Ethiopia...
in Ethiopian history. He is known for his skill, and mostly for his volleys, free kicks and penalties. He played professionally with Saint-George SA
Saint-George SA
Saint George SA is an Ethiopian football club based in Addis Abeba. They are a member of the Ethiopian Football Federation national league. Their home stadium is Addis Abeba Stadium.-History:...
along with his brother Italo
Italo Vassalo
Italo Vassallo is a former Eritrean born, Italo-Eritrean footballer.He played with Ethiopia internationally, sharing in its 1962 African Cup victory over Egypt. He played at FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1970. His brother is Luciano Vassalo, also a footballer for the Ethopian team.-External links:*...
.
Luciano played for the Ethiopia national football team
Ethiopia national football team
The Ethiopia national football team represents Ethiopia in association football and is controlled by the Ethiopian Football Federation, the governing body for football in Ethiopia...
in the qualifying rounds for the 1962 FIFA World Cup
1962 FIFA World Cup
The 1962 FIFA World Cup, the seventh staging of the World Cup, was held in Chile from 30 May to 17 June. It was won by Brazil, who retained the championship by beating Czechoslovakia 3–1 in the final...
. With his brother Italo, Luciano was part of the 1962 African Cup of Nations
1962 African Cup of Nations
The 1962 African Cup of Nations was the third edition of the African Cup of Nations, the soccer championship of Africa . It was hosted by Ethiopia. Nine countries entered the competition, including the reigning champions Egypt, meaning for the first time a qualification tournament was required. As...
campaign when Ethiopia won their only trophy to date. Luciano, captain of the team, scored 2 goals in the semifinal against Tunisia and was tied for third highest scorer in the tournament, and was named player of the tournament, the only Ethiopian to claim that award. He was personally handed the trophy by His Highness Haile Selassie. In 2006, CAF
Confederation of African Football
The Confederation of African Football is the administrative and controlling body for African association football.CAF represents the national football associations of Africa, runs continental, national, and club competitions, and controls the prize money, regulations and media rights to those...
began the selection for the best African footballer in the last fifty years. Luciano, along with legendary teammate and friend Mengistu Worku
Mengistu Worku
Mengistu Worku was an Ethiopian footballer, recognised as the best Ethiopian footballer in history...
were selected in the group of the top 50 players, as the only Ethiopians, but were not selected in the final 30, where Roger Milla
Roger Milla
Roger Milla is a retired Cameroonian footballer who played as a striker. He was one of the first African players to be a major star on the international stage...
was named number one.
Many consider Vassalo to be the best Ethiopian footballer in history, after Mengistu Worku and Ydnekatchew Tessema
Ydnekatchew Tessema
Ydnekatchew Tessema is a former Ethiopian president of the Confederation of African Football, footballer, manager and now is an honorary president after his death in 1987.- Early life :...
. After retirement, he had a short stint in coaching, with the then Dire Dawa Cotton FC.