Italy 1982

“I was born with that scream inside me. That was just the moment it came out.”

“The joy of scoring in a World Cup final was immense, something I dreamed about as a kid.”

“There, in the middle of the Bernabéu, with the Cup finally in my hands, I came to understand what happiness is. I was so happy that when I went up on the stage I kissed the Queen of Spain.”

“That World Cup really was a fairytale, from the laboured start, then ever more overwhelming, up to the victorious final act at the Bernabéu. Yes, truly a fairytale.”

“It was a hopeless situation. Every press conference turned into a court room. Anything we said was turned against us. We had to concentrate on the football and nothing else.”

“I think it saw us come together. It made us more united and brought the best out of us. We needed miracles and it helped us achieve them.”

“Only he could reach that victory. Only a man like that, of great courage, infinite intelligence, deep knowledge. It was Bearzot who gave us serenity, calm. That World Cup really was his personal victory.”

“When we went on to play Argentina and Brazil, we had no fear and we were playing with pride. We knew that we had to give it our all and left our inhibitions in the changing room.”

“That World Cup was a victory that was not only unexpected — those are the ones that give you the greatest joy — but also everyone's: not just Paolo Rossi the top scorer's, nor just the team's.”

“Winning the World Cup in Spain swept away sadness, anguish and fear. For the country it was a form of redemption, a shot of optimism.”

“I believe in the spirit I've infused in my group of players.”

“I don't think anyone has ever heard me say that the title in Spain was entirely down to the lads: because it isn't true, I'm sure I deserved part of the credit myself. But that's the point: a part.”

“I have rewatched the games against Brazil and Argentina more than once. Before sitting down in front of the video I asked myself: was I really that nasty? In the end, though, my conscience was truly clear. I stopped those two without any foul play.”

“The '82 World Cup gave us a special aura. But that was an unrepeatable era of our football.”