Franco Causio is an Italian former association football player who became one of Juventus's leading wingers during the 1970s. He won six Italian league titles, the UEFA Cup and the Coppa Italia with Juventus, and represented Italy at three World Cups, winning the 1982 FIFA World Cup.
Background
Franco Causio was born on February 1, 1949, in Lecce, in Italy's Apulia region. He began playing for his hometown club before moving north as a teenager to join Juventus, entering an Italian football system in which regional clubs developed young players before they reached Serie A.
His elegant style, technical control and attacking play led to the nickname “The Baron.” The name became associated with his refined movement, dribbling and crossing as well as with the public image he developed during his years in Turin.
Career
Causio began his senior career with Lecce in the 1964–1965 season and then played for Sambenedettese in Serie C. Lecce was his hometown club, while Sambenedettese represented a further stage in the development of a young professional outside Italy's top division. He joined Juventus in 1966 and made his Serie A debut for the club on January 21, 1968, against Mantova.
After a first spell with Juventus, Causio played for Reggina in Serie B during 1968–1969 and Palermo in Serie A during 1969–1970. Palermo was one of Sicily's established professional clubs and gave him regular top-flight experience before his return to Juventus in 1970.
Causio spent eleven consecutive seasons with Juventus from 1970 to 1981, generally operating as a right winger or wide midfielder. Juventus was one of Italy's major clubs and, during this period, built a highly successful side around domestic internationals and an organized attacking game. Causio made 447 appearances and scored 72 goals for the club according to Juventus's Hall of Fame, while winning six Serie A titles, the 1976–1977 UEFA Cup and the 1978–1979 Coppa Italia. Juventus also reached the 1973 European Cup final and the 1973 Intercontinental Cup final during his first period of prominence.
In 1981, Causio moved to Udinese, an established Friulian club that was then competing in Serie A. He played there for three seasons and formed a notable attacking partnership with Brazilian international Zico. In 1984 he joined Inter, one of Italy's leading clubs, for the 1984–1985 season. He returned to Lecce in 1985–1986, helping the club during its first Serie A season, and finished his playing career with Triestina in Serie B in 1988.
Causio made his Italy debut on April 29, 1972, in a goalless match against Belgium. He represented Italy at the 1974 and 1978 FIFA World Cups and at the 1980 UEFA European Championship, with Italy finishing fourth at both the 1978 World Cup and the 1980 European Championship. He was part of Italy's victorious 1982 World Cup squad and ended his international career with 63 appearances and six goals.
Views
In his autobiographical writing and interviews, Causio has emphasized technical creativity, dribbling and individual skill as central values in football. He has also contrasted the expressive, player-centered football of his generation with the greater physical emphasis he perceives in modern football.
Personality
Causio was publicly associated with an elegant and sportsmanlike style of play. Contemporary descriptions and later accounts emphasized his technical imagination, dribbling, crossing and ability to play with both flair and stamina.
Physical Characteristics:
He was 1.70 metres tall and weighed approximately 68 kilograms during his playing career.
