Career
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. 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 football player in the last fifty years. Many consider Vassalo to be the best Ethiopian football player in history, after Mengistu Worku and Ydnekatchew Tessema.
After retirement, he had a short stint in coaching, with the then Dire Dawa Cotton Football Club.