Leonardo Colella, a man whose brief Juventus spell left a lasting, albeit understated, mark.
In the mid-1950s, as Juventus grappled with the tactical evolution of their star player Boniperti – transforming from a prolific center-forward into a midfield regista – the hunt for a new, potent striker led the club`s gaze across the Atlantic, towards the vibrant football pitches of South America. It was a common strategy, a quest for raw talent seasoned by different skies. What followed was a tale of an eager second choice, a challenging season, and a life unexpectedly shaped by a brief sojourn in Italian football history.
The Rise of Nardo: A Brazilian Star with Italian Roots
Leonardo Colella, affectionately known as `Nardo`, was born on September 13, 1930, in São Paulo, Brazil. His Italian heritage, tracing back to Polignano a Mare in Bari, seemed to preordain a connection to the Old Continent. Colella`s football journey began remarkably early, joining the esteemed Corinthians family at just eight years old. After a formative loan spell at Commercial, where he honed his skills in the Paulista top division, he returned to Corinthians in 1952, carving out a role as a left-sided forward, often alternating with the legendary Baltazar.
Nardo`s prowess on the pitch quickly became evident. A 1952 tour with Corinthians through Denmark and Sweden saw him deliver “formidable performances,” showcasing a blistering shot, speed, and irruptive, highly effective incursions into the opponent`s box. He was a rising star, contributing significantly to Corinthians` regional title in 1953 and cementing his reputation in the 1954 Rio-São Paulo tournament, where his two decisive goals clinched victory against Vasco da Gama in the national championship`s thrilling conclusion. However, late in 1954, an ankle injury sidelined him, opening the door for Rafael and setting the stage for an unexpected turn in his career.
The Call from Turin: A Second Chance, Or So It Seemed
With Colella on the transfer list, a bidding war ensued between Santos, Botafogo, and Juventus. The Italian giants ultimately prevailed, partly fueled by Nardo`s deep-seated desire to return to the land of his ancestors. But this move wasn`t their first choice. Juventus had initially set their sights on Gino Orlando, another prominent São Paulo striker with strong ties to the Brazilian national team. However, Orlando, presented with a princely offer, hesitated. Accounts suggest a complex web of reasons, including daunting Italian tax implications and, perhaps most famously, the disapproval of his mother-in-law. One can almost picture the exasperated Fiat emissaries, Messrs. Conti and Peccei, along with local football manager Joào Chiavone, pounding the table as Orlando dug in his heels. It appears a mother-in-law`s opinion, in the grand scheme of European football transfers, can occasionally outweigh even the most lucrative of contracts.
With Orlando definitively out, Chiavone, who knew the São Paulo football landscape like the back of his hand, swiftly proposed Colella. Nardo, summoned to the hotel that very evening, accepted “on the run,” professing he “would have walked to Italy” if necessary. The deal was struck for approximately 22 million lire of the era. He arrived in Italy with his new wife and two-month-old daughter, brimming with an enthusiasm that bespoke a dream finally realized.
Turin`s Reality: A Whirlwind Season of Adaptation and Irony
Colella`s arrival in Turin around Christmas of 1955 was a stark contrast to the tropical warmth of São Paulo. He arrived in light attire, utterly unprepared for the “biting cold” of an Italian winter. This immediate cultural and climatic shock foreshadowed the challenges on the pitch. The more athletic and tactically rigid Italian game proved difficult for him to adapt to, a stark departure from the fluid, high-grass pitches he was accustomed to in Brazil. To retain his place, he was repositioned from his natural central role to a right winger.
Despite the hurdles, Colella managed to score seven goals in 21 appearances for Juventus that season (some accounts suggest 7 goals in just 12 league matches), making him, alongside Stacchini, the club`s joint top scorer in what was widely described as a “not fortunate” season for the Bianconeri. Ironically, his best performances often came in the heart of winter, a peculiar twist for a player raised in the sun-drenched tropics.
However, one particular incident crystallized his challenging season: a crucial miss against Fiorentina. Facing goalkeeper Giuliano Sarti, Colella attempted a shot—a low drive, a lob? No one quite understood the “maladroit solution.” He struck the ground, sending a clump of turf flying, amidst the “cruel irony” of the crowd, as Fiorentina marched to a 4-0 victory. It was a moment that, perhaps unfairly, came to symbolize his struggle to fully translate his Brazilian brilliance to the Italian stage.
An Abrupt End and a New Beginning
As the season concluded, Colella, still dreaming of a second contract, received the “cold shower” of news: Juventus had other plans. They sought new attacking talent, and his “foreigner” slot was needed for a “big character” destined to help the club reclaim its former glory. His contract was not renewed, and his Italian adventure came to an abrupt, somewhat melancholic, end.
Mournfully, Colella returned to São Paulo, where he continued his football career with Portuguesa de Desportes, the club that would later discover and sell Jair to Inter Milan. Here, he was known as `O Italiano,` playing a couple of seasons in a somewhat subdued manner before eventually hanging up his boots.
Yet, the story of Leonardo Colella does not end in disappointment. In São Paulo, he transitioned successfully into commerce, becoming a prosperous businessman dealing in automobiles and accessories. He found financial comfort and stability for his family. He often referred to his six months at Juventus as “O pe` de meia”—a popular Brazilian phrase literally meaning “the foot of the sock,” but colloquially signifying the first crucial step towards financial success. For this, despite the unfulfilled sporting potential, Colella always remembered his time with Juventus with deep nostalgia, appreciative of the club`s integrity and the financial foundation it provided him.
A Lasting Connection
Leonardo Colella`s journey is a testament to the unpredictable nature of football careers, where ambition meets circumstance. He may not have become a Bianconero legend, but his unique story—a second-choice striker, adapting to a new world, leaving a modest but memorable mark, and ultimately finding success off the pitch—is a poignant chapter in Juventus`s rich history. From the bustling streets of São Paulo, he would send his “affectionate embrace and sincere congratulations” to his old club for their continued triumphs, a true measure of an enduring connection forged across continents, under the sun and in the chill.