Beppe Savoldi, “Mister Two Billion,” Dies at 79
Italian football is in mourning following the death of Giuseppe “Beppe” Savoldi, a prolific striker who starred for Atalanta, Bologna, and Napoli. He passed away on Thursday, March 26, 2026, after a long illness, at the age of 79.
Son Announces Passing
Gianluca Savoldi, also a former footballer and current coach, announced his father’s death on social media. “Our great Beppe has gone to another dimension,” he wrote. “His places, his home, and his loved ones accompanied him until the last moment, leaving us custodians of the values and love that have always defined his journey. We are incredibly proud, despite the overwhelming pain. We sincerely thank the doctors and nurses at Papa Giovanni XXIII and the Beato Palazzolo Institute in Bergamo for the care they provided, even within the walls of his beloved home.”
Who Was Beppe Savoldi?
Born in Gorlago, near Bergamo, on January 21, 1947, Savoldi was one of the most prolific and representative center forwards of Italian football in the 1970s. He made his Serie A debut in 1965 with Atalanta, quickly establishing himself with a keen sense for goal, physical strength, and aerial ability. After several seasons with the Nerazzurri, he moved to Bologna in 1968, where he became a true goal-scoring sensation, winning the Coppa Italia in 1970 and claiming the Serie A top scorer title in the 1972-73 season.
The Move to Napoli
In 1975, Savoldi transferred to Napoli for a then-record fee, becoming the first “billionaire” in Italian football. The deal was worth 1.4 billion lire plus the valuation of Rampanti at 600 million lire, a sum that sparked considerable debate and earned him the nickname “Mister Two Billion.” In Naples, he continued to demonstrate his scoring prowess, contributing to the team’s growth in the years before the arrival of Diego Maradona. After four seasons, he returned to Bologna in 1979, where he continued to score goals until 1982, before finishing his career with a brief spell at Atalanta.
Over 200 Serie A Goals
Throughout his career, Savoldi scored over 200 goals in professional football, establishing himself as one of the most reliable and complete strikers of his generation. He earned four caps for the Italian national team in 1975, scoring one goal, but never secured a regular place in the Azzurri squad during a period rich with talented forwards.
Savoldi, nicknamed “Mister Two Billion” due to his groundbreaking transfer fee, is remembered today for his essential yet effective style of play, embodying a direct and concrete approach to the game, and for his strong connection with the cities of Bologna and Bergamo, where he remains a beloved figure.
Atalanta has released a statement of condolence.
Savoldi’s passing marks the end of an era for Italian football. He was a player who represented the spirit of a generation, a prolific goalscorer, and a symbol of a simpler, more direct style of play. His legacy will continue to inspire fans and players alike for years to come.
A minute’s silence will be held before Italy’s upcoming match against Northern Ireland in memory of Beppe Savoldi. [Goal.com](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi4wFBVV95cUxOejNaTWd3T2lSOEJLUUtudWpUVG1hdXBTMzdOeVBKQkRWX25MS0pnWldtVUV5Zm5BaU1vUnd3MVNUZkp2MUtvWFBsZlJsSFg0QlFMOFhBOHp0all3RU1nc3dTaHZtWUZtcHJiYXRpNUs4OXJ6UzhGSTF1bmE0Wk9vVDNMYjdibGRtYXVjYnBobFlBMnBoaVMwMGZTQ2JtdlV6N1JQek9TQnJOSnlOaUtsWFZXLVVyT1JKbGs2bjZadjZmV3dKaGpCUUhlWmZlTWJFMHFKRzk1SlJBekQ0SGZWMENvSQ?oc=5) reported that the tribute will take place before kickoff.
