Former Italy and Lazio striker Chinaglia dies
Reuters - Sunday 01 April 2012, 20:59
Former Italy, Lazio and New York
Cosmos centre-forward Giorgio Chinaglia died in Florida on
Sunday at the age of 65.
"It is with a heavy heart the New York Cosmos report that...
Cosmos legend Giorgio Chinaglia has passed away this morning,"
the club said on their website.
"Giorgio was one of the most exceptional players to ever
play in the United States and was the Cosmos's greatest player
ever. Our condolences and thoughts are with Giorgio's family at
this time."
Chinaglia was one of the pioneers of the North American
Soccer League (NASL) along with Brazilian great Pele and former
Germany captain and coach Franz Beckenbauer.
The Italian won four NASL titles and hit 242 goals in 254
matches, making him the all-time leading scorer in the
competition.
Chinaglia came to prominence with Lazio, playing for the
Rome team between 1969-76 and winning the Serie A title in 1974.
He later became club president between 1983-85.
He won 14 caps for his country, scoring four goals, and
played in the 1974 World Cup.
More recently Chinaglia was a fugitive of Italian justice in
the United States after prosecutors brought charges of stock
market rigging linked to his consortium's bid to buy Lazio.
He died after suffering heart problems, according to media
reports.