Niccolai started from Torres and stopped only in front of Pelè’s Brazil
It starts from Torres the story of Communard Nicholaswho then won the championship with Cagliari and became vice world championArrived at Sassari as a teenager, he found space in the first team and then moved directly to Cagliari, newly promoted to Serie A, when a young player had arrived from Leggiuno Louis Riva. With the red and blues of the lower boss he turned a corner, became a first team regular and took part in the long journey that led to the ’69/’70 championship and to the adventure with the Cagliari block at the World Championships Mexico ’70.
He had played the second half in his debut for the national team, but started in the first match of the World Cup in Mexico. Due to a injury he was forced to leave but was part of the blue expedition that beat Germany with the legendary 4-3. Then came Pelé’s stellar Brazil who won the final. But that Tuscan famous for his own goals was actually a great stopper and became vice world champion. Six months after the death of Gigi Riva, another symbol of old football has passed away. When the teammates of the Scudetto were in the mortuary to say goodbye to Rombo di Tuono, they exchanged information on the state of health of Niccolai. He was hospitalized and passed away at the age of 77.
