Enzo Scifo: Difference between revisions
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== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Scifo was born in [[La Louvière]], [[Wallonia]], to Italian parents from [[Sicily]].<ref name=A>{{cite news|author=Emanuela Audisio|url= | Scifo was born in [[La Louvière]], [[Wallonia]], to Italian parents from [[Sicily]].<ref name=A>{{cite news|author=Emanuela Audisio|url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1987/04/23/italiano-per-forza.html|title=Italiano per forza|editor=repubblica.it|date=23 April 1987|access-date=26 January 2017}}</ref><ref name=devil>{{cite news|url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=44619/profile.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009162810/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-tournaments/players-coaches/people=44619/profile.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 October 2015|title=Scifo, a Red Devil with divine gifts|work=FIFA|access-date=8 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=FIFA-profile>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=44619/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153341/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=44619/|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 February 2014|title=Enzo SCIFO|publisher=FIFA|access-date=8 November 2013}}</ref> He proved himself a highly promising talent in youth football and was nicknamed "Little [[Pelé]]" at his local team, where he scored 432 goals in only four seasons as a junior.<ref name=devil/><ref name="planetworldcup"/> Scifo joined his local club [[R.A.A. Louviéroise]] as a seven-year-old in 1973.<ref name=devil/> He transferred to what used to be Belgium's [[List of Belgian football champions|most successful]] club, [[R.S.C. Anderlecht]], in 1982.<ref name=devil/> | ||
== Club career == | == Club career == | ||
Scifo made his first team debut with [[R.S.C. Anderlecht]] in 1983, at the age of 17.<ref name="planetworldcup"/> After winning three [[Belgian First Division]] championships with the club, and helping the team to the [[1984 UEFA Cup final|1984 UEFA Cup Final]], only to lose out to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham]] on penalties, Scifo earned a reputation as one of the most promising young stars of his generation,<ref name=devil/> and moved to his ancestral country for [[Internazionale Milano F.C.|Internazionale]] in [[1987–88 Serie A|1987]] for a fee of 7.5 billion Lire.<ref name="ITALIANO PER FORZA"/> At the time, this was the record amount for a football transfer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2024 |title=From Maradona to Cristiano and Neymar: Each Player Challenging the Transfer Record |url=https://www.footboom1.com/en/news/football/2080136-from-maradona-to-cristiano-and-neymar-each-player-challenging-the-transfer-record |website=footboom1.com |language=en}}</ref> After an unsuccessful spell in [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Inter Milan]], which saw him manage only four league goals in 28 appearances, he moved to French club [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux|Bordeaux]] in 1988 where he again disappointed, and faced injuries and conflict with senior squad members.<ref name=devil/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.marc-werner.com/soccer/soccer4.pdf |title=EXKLUSIV Interview mit Enzo Scifo |access-date=7 June 2009 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191623/http://www.marc-werner.com/soccer/soccer4.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> His career was revived by a successful move to [[Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise|Auxerre]] in 1989, at the age of 23, under manager [[Guy Roux]], which led to a return to Italy with [[Torino Calcio|Torino]] in 1991;<ref>{{cite web|url= | Scifo made his first team debut with [[R.S.C. Anderlecht]] in 1983, at the age of 17.<ref name="planetworldcup"/> After winning three [[Belgian First Division]] championships with the club, and helping the team to the [[1984 UEFA Cup final|1984 UEFA Cup Final]], only to lose out to [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham]] on penalties, Scifo earned a reputation as one of the most promising young stars of his generation,<ref name=devil/> and moved to his ancestral country for [[Internazionale Milano F.C.|Internazionale]] in [[1987–88 Serie A|1987]] for a fee of 7.5 billion Lire.<ref name="ITALIANO PER FORZA"/> At the time, this was the record amount for a football transfer.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2024 |title=From Maradona to Cristiano and Neymar: Each Player Challenging the Transfer Record |url=https://www.footboom1.com/en/news/football/2080136-from-maradona-to-cristiano-and-neymar-each-player-challenging-the-transfer-record |website=footboom1.com |language=en}}</ref> After an unsuccessful spell in [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Inter Milan]], which saw him manage only four league goals in 28 appearances, he moved to French club [[FC Girondins de Bordeaux|Bordeaux]] in 1988 where he again disappointed, and faced injuries and conflict with senior squad members.<ref name=devil/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.marc-werner.com/soccer/soccer4.pdf |title=EXKLUSIV Interview mit Enzo Scifo |access-date=7 June 2009 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191623/http://www.marc-werner.com/soccer/soccer4.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> His career was revived by a successful move to [[Association de la Jeunesse Auxerroise|Auxerre]] in 1989, at the age of 23, under manager [[Guy Roux]], which led to a return to Italy with [[Torino Calcio|Torino]] in 1991;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mydict.com/Wort/Enzo/Page/3/|title=Enzo – hat folgende Bedeutung|author=MyDict Team|access-date=14 October 2015|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305014609/https://www.mydict.com/Wort/Enzo/Page/3/|url-status=dead}}</ref> his second spell in [[Serie A]] was more successful, as he reached the [[1992 UEFA Cup Final]] in his first season with Torino, and won the [[1992–93 Coppa Italia|Coppa Italia]] the following season.<ref name="planetworldcup"/> Scifo then moved to [[AS Monaco FC|AS Monaco]] in 1993, where he enjoyed a similar level of success and won the [[Ligue 1|French championship]] in [[1996–97 French Division 1|1997]].<ref name="planetworldcup"/> He returned to Anderlecht later that year and won his fourth Belgian league title in the [[1999–2000 Belgian First Division|1999–2000]] season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://betting.betfair.com/international-football/obscure-betting/the-obscure-betting-column-enzo-scifos-mouscron-an-241008.html|title=International Football Betting Tips – Bet £10 Get £30 with Betfair|access-date=14 October 2015|archive-date=8 July 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708042557/http://betting.betfair.com/international-football/obscure-betting/the-obscure-betting-column-enzo-scifos-mouscron-an-241008.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He joined [[R. Charleroi S.C.|Charleroi]] in 2000, but retired later in the same season, at the age of 36, after being diagnosed with chronic [[arthritis]].<ref name=devil/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wiwo.de/unternehmer-maerkte/der-bdquo-rote-teufel-ldquo-tanzte-viermal-auf-der-wm-buehne-121743/|title=WM-Rekordspieler, Platz 19: Enzo Scifo: Der "rote Teufel" tanzte viermal auf der WM-Bühne|access-date=14 October 2015}}</ref> In total, Scifo scored 121 league goals in 478 official matches.<ref name=devil/> | ||
== International career == | == International career == | ||
Scifo made his senior international debut on 6 June 1984 for [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]], in a 2–2 friendly draw against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]].<ref name="treccani">{{cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/vincenzo-scifo_(Enciclopedia-dello-Sport)/|title=SCIFO, Vincenzo (Enzo)|work=Treccani: Enciclopedia dello Sport|date=2002|language=it|access-date=3 January 2017}}</ref> In [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]'s opening group match of [[UEFA Euro 1984]], on 13 June, he attracted much publicity when he helped his team to a 2–0 victory over [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]]; at the age of 18 years and 115 days, he was the youngest player ever to appear in the finals at the time.<ref name="planetworldcup">{{cite web|url= | Scifo made his senior international debut on 6 June 1984 for [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]], in a 2–2 friendly draw against [[Hungary national football team|Hungary]].<ref name="treccani">{{cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/vincenzo-scifo_(Enciclopedia-dello-Sport)/|title=SCIFO, Vincenzo (Enzo)|work=Treccani: Enciclopedia dello Sport|date=2002|language=it|access-date=3 January 2017}}</ref> In [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]]'s opening group match of [[UEFA Euro 1984]], on 13 June, he attracted much publicity when he helped his team to a 2–0 victory over [[Yugoslavia national football team|Yugoslavia]]; at the age of 18 years and 115 days, he was the youngest player ever to appear in the finals at the time.<ref name="planetworldcup">{{cite web|url=https://www.planetworldcup.com/LEGENDS/scifo.html|title=Planet World Cup – Legends – Enzo Scifo|access-date=14 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b2ea5178a-1c450cf59b63-1000--scifo-helps-belgium-to-overcome-yugoslavia-in-euro-1984-gr/|title=Scifo helps Belgium to overcome Yugoslavia|publisher=UEFA|date=4 October 2003|access-date=3 January 2017}}</ref> Scifo featured in all three of Belgium's group matches in the tournament, as they placed third in their group and suffered a first round elimination.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7e16233fd7-0b794fdbc7b7-1000--teenager-willems-breaks-scifo-s-record/|title=Teenager Willems breaks Scifo's record|publisher=UEFA|date=9 June 2012|access-date=3 January 2017}}</ref> | ||
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He appeared for [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] in the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]], [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]], [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], and [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]] [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]]s, playing sixteen games in total;<ref>[http://www.world-football-legends.co.uk/scifo.php World Football Legends | Players | Enzo Scifo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625004331/http://www.world-football-legends.co.uk/scifo.php |date=25 June 2008 }}</ref> he is one of only 14 players to have participated in four World Cups, and one of only three Belgian players ever to do so.<ref name="planetworldcup"/> Scifo helped his nation to the semi-finals of the 1986 edition of the tournament in Mexico, playing in all seven of his team's matches and scoring two goals as Belgium finished the tournament in fourth place; he was named [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|the best young player of the tournament]] for his performances throughout the competition.<ref name=FIFA-profile/><ref name="planetworldcup"/> In the 1990 edition of the tournament, held in Italy, Scifo scored a notable goal from long range in Belgium's 3-1 first round victory over [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]], on 17 June, held in Verona;<ref name="planetworldcup"/> the goal was later elected as the tenth greatest FIFA World Cup goal of the Century in a 2002 poll, with 2,935 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2002/m=5/news=diego-maradona-goal-voted-the-fifa-world-cup-153-goal-the-century-82406.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912131216/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2002/m=5/news=diego-maradona-goal-voted-the-fifa-world-cup-153-goal-the-century-82406.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2015|title=Diego Maradona goal voted the FIFA World Cup Goal of the Century|publisher=FIFA|date=30 May 2002|access-date=3 January 2017}}</ref> Belgium were eventually eliminated in the second round against [[England national football team|England]]; four years later, at [[1994 FIFA World Cup|U.S.A. '94]], the Belgian side were once again eliminated in the second round.<ref name="planetworldcup"/> Scifo retired from international football after Belgium's first round elimination in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World]] Cup held in France;<ref name="planetworldcup"/> in total he gained eighty-four international caps and scored eighteen goals.<ref>{{cite web|url= | He appeared for [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] in the [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]], [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]], [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], and [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]] [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]]s, playing sixteen games in total;<ref>[http://www.world-football-legends.co.uk/scifo.php World Football Legends | Players | Enzo Scifo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625004331/http://www.world-football-legends.co.uk/scifo.php |date=25 June 2008 }}</ref> he is one of only 14 players to have participated in four World Cups, and one of only three Belgian players ever to do so.<ref name="planetworldcup"/> Scifo helped his nation to the semi-finals of the 1986 edition of the tournament in Mexico, playing in all seven of his team's matches and scoring two goals as Belgium finished the tournament in fourth place; he was named [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|the best young player of the tournament]] for his performances throughout the competition.<ref name=FIFA-profile/><ref name="planetworldcup"/> In the 1990 edition of the tournament, held in Italy, Scifo scored a notable goal from long range in Belgium's 3-1 first round victory over [[Uruguay national football team|Uruguay]], on 17 June, held in Verona;<ref name="planetworldcup"/> the goal was later elected as the tenth greatest FIFA World Cup goal of the Century in a 2002 poll, with 2,935 votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/news/y=2002/m=5/news=diego-maradona-goal-voted-the-fifa-world-cup-153-goal-the-century-82406.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912131216/http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2002/m=5/news=diego-maradona-goal-voted-the-fifa-world-cup-153-goal-the-century-82406.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2015|title=Diego Maradona goal voted the FIFA World Cup Goal of the Century|publisher=FIFA|date=30 May 2002|access-date=3 January 2017}}</ref> Belgium were eventually eliminated in the second round against [[England national football team|England]]; four years later, at [[1994 FIFA World Cup|U.S.A. '94]], the Belgian side were once again eliminated in the second round.<ref name="planetworldcup"/> Scifo retired from international football after Belgium's first round elimination in the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World]] Cup held in France;<ref name="planetworldcup"/> in total he gained eighty-four international caps and scored eighteen goals.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/sport/fussball/0,1518,35351,00.html|title=Ausland: Fußball-Star Enzo Scifo außer Lebensgefahr|author=((SPIEGEL ONLINE, Hamburg, Germany))|date=16 August 1999|work=SPIEGEL ONLINE|access-date=14 October 2015}}</ref> | ||
== Style of play == | == Style of play == | ||
A highly creative [[midfielder]] with an eye for goal, Scifo was a classic [[Squad number (association football)|number 10]] [[playmaker]] who usually played as an [[attacking midfielder]] behind the strikers; he was also capable of playing as a [[central midfielder]], where he functioned as a [[deep-lying playmaker]], or as a [[wide midfielder]] along the right flank. Considered one of Belgium's greatest ever players,<ref>{{cite web |title=10 Best Belgian Soccer Players of All Time |url=https://soccermavericks.com/best-belgian-soccer-players-of-all-time/ |website=Soccer Mavericks}}</ref> his primary traits as a footballer were his excellent vision, tactical intelligence, and technical skills, which allowed him to orchestrate his team's attacking moves from midfield; he was also highly regarded for his balance on the ball, and his ability to [[Dribbling#Association football|dribble]] with his head up, as well as his accurate shooting and passing ability with his right foot, which enabled him both to score goals or create chances for his teammates. However, despite his talent, he was also criticised by his managers at times for his poor defensive work-rate off the ball, his introverted character, and for being selfish and inefficient at times, in particular in his youth, as he attempted too many individual dribbling runs, rather than looking to provide a simpler pass to an open teammate. Throughout his career, his unique playing style drew comparisons with [[Gianni Rivera]], [[Giancarlo Antognoni]], and his idol [[Michel Platini]].<ref name=devil/><ref name="ITALIANO PER FORZA">{{cite web|url= | A highly creative [[midfielder]] with an eye for goal, Scifo was a classic [[Squad number (association football)|number 10]] [[playmaker]] who usually played as an [[attacking midfielder]] behind the strikers; he was also capable of playing as a [[central midfielder]], where he functioned as a [[deep-lying playmaker]], or as a [[wide midfielder]] along the right flank. Considered one of Belgium's greatest ever players,<ref>{{cite web |title=10 Best Belgian Soccer Players of All Time |url=https://soccermavericks.com/best-belgian-soccer-players-of-all-time/ |website=Soccer Mavericks |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102084648/https://soccermavericks.com/best-belgian-soccer-players-of-all-time/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> his primary traits as a footballer were his excellent vision, tactical intelligence, and technical skills, which allowed him to orchestrate his team's attacking moves from midfield; he was also highly regarded for his balance on the ball, and his ability to [[Dribbling#Association football|dribble]] with his head up, as well as his accurate shooting and passing ability with his right foot, which enabled him both to score goals or create chances for his teammates. However, despite his talent, he was also criticised by his managers at times for his poor defensive work-rate off the ball, his introverted character, and for being selfish and inefficient at times, in particular in his youth, as he attempted too many individual dribbling runs, rather than looking to provide a simpler pass to an open teammate. Throughout his career, his unique playing style drew comparisons with [[Gianni Rivera]], [[Giancarlo Antognoni]], and his idol [[Michel Platini]].<ref name=devil/><ref name="ITALIANO PER FORZA">{{cite web|url=https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1987/04/23/italiano-per-forza.html|title=ITALIANO PER FORZA|work=La Repubblica|language=it|author1=EMANUELA AUDISIO|date=23 April 1987|access-date=3 January 2016}}</ref> | ||
== After retirement == | == After retirement == | ||
Scifo tried his hand at coaching with [[R. Charleroi S.C.]], joining them for the 2000–01 season. Indifferent results led to his resignation in June 2002. He later coached [[A.F.C. Tubize|Tubize]] between 2004 and 2006, and later became head trainer of [[R.E. Mouscron]], another [[Belgian League]] team, in 2007. On 6 June 2009, Scifo quit Mouscron due to the club's difficult financial situation.<ref> | Scifo tried his hand at coaching with [[R. Charleroi S.C.]], joining them for the 2000–01 season. Indifferent results led to his resignation in June 2002. He later coached [[A.F.C. Tubize|Tubize]] between 2004 and 2006, and later became head trainer of [[R.E. Mouscron]], another [[Belgian League]] team, in 2007. On 6 June 2009, Scifo quit Mouscron due to the club's difficult financial situation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Enzo Scifo décide de jeter l'éponge|url=http://www.rtbf.be/sport/football/division-1/enzo-scifo-decide-de-jeter-leponge-40620|url-status=dead|publisher=RTBF|date=8 June 2009|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611154401/http://www.rtbf.be/sport/football/division-1/enzo-scifo-decide-de-jeter-leponge-40620|archive-date=11 June 2009}}</ref> | ||
Scifo returned to club football with [[R.A.E.C. Mons (1910)|Mons]] between 2012 and 2013. Between 2015 and 2016, he served as the manager of the [[Belgium national under-21 football team|Belgium U21 national team]]. Scifo was appointed manager of [[Royal Excel Mouscron|Mouscron]] in 2021, but was dismissed from his position after a poor start to the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2021 |title=Enzo Scifo et l’Excel Mouscron, c'est terminé |trans-title=Enzo Scifo and Excel Mouscron, it's over |url=https://www.lesoir.be/400571/article/2021-10-14/enzo-scifo-et-lexcel-mouscron-cest-termine |website=[[Le Soir]]|language=fr}}</ref> In 2024, Enzo Scifo was appointed talent manager of [[RAAL La Louvière]], the successor club to Louviéroise where he started as a youth player.<ref>{{cite web |date=6 August 2024 |title=Bienvenue Enzo Scifo ! |url=https://www.raal.be/bienvenue-enzo-scifo/ |access-date=22 September 2025|website=RAAL|language=fr}}</ref> | |||
Scifo returned to club football with [[R.A.E.C. Mons (1910)|Mons]] between 2012 and 2013. Between 2015 and 2016, he served as the manager of the [[Belgium national under-21 football team|Belgium U21 national team]]. Scifo was appointed manager of [[Royal Excel Mouscron|Mouscron]] in 2021, but was dismissed from his position after a poor start to the season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 October 2021 |title=Enzo Scifo et l’Excel Mouscron, | |||
== Career statistics == | == Career statistics == | ||
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* [[Belgian Golden Shoe]]: 1984<ref name="Yashin Award23">{{cite web |title=Winnaars Gouden Schoen |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20120111_213}}</ref> | * [[Belgian Golden Shoe]]: 1984<ref name="Yashin Award23">{{cite web |title=Winnaars Gouden Schoen |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20120111_213}}</ref> | ||
* [[Ballon d'Or]] nominations: [[1984 Ballon d'Or|1984]],<ref name="Yashin Award56">{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 1984 |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1984-michel-platini/423426}}</ref> [[1990 Ballon d'Or|1990]],<ref name="Yashin Award523">{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 1990 |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1990-lothar-matthaus/423444}}</ref> [[1992 Ballon d'Or|1992]],<ref name="Yashin Award533">{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 1992 |url=http://v6.francefootball.fr/news/1992-marco-van-basten/423450 |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-date=27 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327150735/http://v6.francefootball.fr/news/1992-marco-van-basten/423450 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[1993 Ballon d'Or|1993]]<ref name="Yashin Award543">{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 1993 |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1993-roberto-baggio/423452}}</ref> | * [[Ballon d'Or]] nominations: [[1984 Ballon d'Or|1984]],<ref name="Yashin Award56">{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 1984 |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1984-michel-platini/423426}}</ref> [[1990 Ballon d'Or|1990]],<ref name="Yashin Award523">{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 1990 |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1990-lothar-matthaus/423444}}</ref> [[1992 Ballon d'Or|1992]],<ref name="Yashin Award533">{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 1992 |url=http://v6.francefootball.fr/news/1992-marco-van-basten/423450 |access-date=15 October 2020 |archive-date=27 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327150735/http://v6.francefootball.fr/news/1992-marco-van-basten/423450 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[1993 Ballon d'Or|1993]]<ref name="Yashin Award543">{{cite web |title=Ballon d'Or 1993 |url=https://www.francefootball.fr/news/1993-roberto-baggio/423452}}</ref> | ||
* 4 FIFA World Cup participations: [[1986 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|1986]], [[1990 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|1990]], [[1994 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|1994]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|1998]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planet World Cup - Legends - Enzo Scifo |url= | * 4 FIFA World Cup participations: [[1986 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|1986]], [[1990 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|1990]], [[1994 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|1994]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup squads#Belgium|1998]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planet World Cup - Legends - Enzo Scifo |url=https://www.planetworldcup.com/LEGENDS/scifo.html |access-date=2020-11-08 |website=www.planetworldcup.com}}</ref> | ||
* [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|FIFA World Cup Best Young Player]]: [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]]<ref name="FIFA-profile3">{{cite web |title=Enzo SCIFO |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=44619/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153341/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=44619/ |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=8 November 2013 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref> | * [[FIFA World Cup awards#FIFA Young Player Award|FIFA World Cup Best Young Player]]: [[1986 FIFA World Cup|1986]]<ref name="FIFA-profile3">{{cite web |title=Enzo SCIFO |url=https://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=44619/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222153341/http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/players/player=44619/ |archive-date=22 February 2014 |access-date=8 November 2013 |publisher=FIFA}}</ref> | ||
* [[FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]]<ref name=":02">{{cite web |title=BigSoccer - All star teams of 1986 World Cup |url=https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/all-star-teams-of-1986-world-cup.1979342/}}</ref> | * [[FIFA World Cup All-Star Team]]: [[1990 FIFA World Cup|1990]]<ref name=":02">{{cite web |title=BigSoccer - All star teams of 1986 World Cup |url=https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/all-star-teams-of-1986-world-cup.1979342/}}</ref> | ||
* [[La Gazzetta dello Sport]] + [[Associated Press]] + [[Match (magazine)|Match]] [[FIFA World Cup All-Star Team|World Cup All-Star Team]]: 1990<ref name=":02" /> | * [[La Gazzetta dello Sport]] + [[Associated Press]] + [[Match (magazine)|Match]] [[FIFA World Cup All-Star Team|World Cup All-Star Team]]: 1990<ref name=":02" /> | ||
* [[French Division 1]] Foreign Player of the Year: 1990<ref>{{cite web |title=France - Footballer of the Year |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/franpoy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905115225/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/franpoy.html |archive-date=5 September 2015 |access-date=2015-10-16}}</ref> | * [[French Division 1]] Foreign Player of the Year: 1990<ref>{{cite web |title=France - Footballer of the Year |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/franpoy.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905115225/http://rsssf.com/miscellaneous/franpoy.html |archive-date=5 September 2015 |access-date=2015-10-16}}</ref> | ||
* [[Belgian professional football awards|Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year]]: 1990–91<ref name="eurosport33">{{cite web |title=Profvoetballer van het Jaar |date=28 November 2011 |url= | * [[Belgian professional football awards|Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year]]: 1990–91<ref name="eurosport33">{{cite web |title=Profvoetballer van het Jaar |date=28 November 2011 |url=https://www.stamnummer25.be/erelijsten/binnenland/profvoetballer-van-het-jaar/}}</ref> | ||
* [[Onze d'Or|Onze Mondial]]: 1993<ref>{{Cite web|title="Onze Mondial" Awards|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|access-date=2021-12-17|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=4 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704020132/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | * [[Onze d'Or|Onze Mondial]]: 1993<ref>{{Cite web|title="Onze Mondial" Awards|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|access-date=2021-12-17|website=[[RSSSF]]|archive-date=4 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704020132/http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
* [[:nl:Belgische Gouden Schoen 2003|Platina 11]] (Best Team in 50 Years Golden Shoe Winners): 2003<ref>{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |date=2004-01-15 |title=Aruna voted Belgium's finest |url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/member-associations/BEL/news/0199-0f8452c4cff9-ecec98bb3aad-1000--aruna-voted-belgium-s-finest/ |access-date=2020-11-08 |website=[[UEFA]] |language=en}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | * [[:nl:Belgische Gouden Schoen 2003|Platina 11]] (Best Team in 50 Years Golden Shoe Winners): 2003<ref>{{Cite web |last=UEFA.com |date=2004-01-15 |title=Aruna voted Belgium's finest |url=https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/member-associations/BEL/news/0199-0f8452c4cff9-ecec98bb3aad-1000--aruna-voted-belgium-s-finest/ |access-date=2020-11-08 |website=[[UEFA]] |language=en}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> | ||
Latest revision as of 20:56, 25 October 2025
Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography
Vincenzo "Enzo" Daniele Scifo (Script error: No such module "IPA".; born 19 February 1966)[1] is a retired Belgian football midfielder. He has also managed the Belgium national under-21 football team and several Belgian club sides. He played for clubs in Belgium, France and Italy, where he won several domestic titles. At international level, he was a member of the Belgium national team, for which he appeared in four FIFA World Cups, being one of three Belgian players ever to do so.
Early life
Scifo was born in La Louvière, Wallonia, to Italian parents from Sicily.[2][3][4] He proved himself a highly promising talent in youth football and was nicknamed "Little Pelé" at his local team, where he scored 432 goals in only four seasons as a junior.[3][5] Scifo joined his local club R.A.A. Louviéroise as a seven-year-old in 1973.[3] He transferred to what used to be Belgium's most successful club, R.S.C. Anderlecht, in 1982.[3]
Club career
Scifo made his first team debut with R.S.C. Anderlecht in 1983, at the age of 17.[5] After winning three Belgian First Division championships with the club, and helping the team to the 1984 UEFA Cup Final, only to lose out to Tottenham on penalties, Scifo earned a reputation as one of the most promising young stars of his generation,[3] and moved to his ancestral country for Internazionale in 1987 for a fee of 7.5 billion Lire.[6] At the time, this was the record amount for a football transfer.[7] After an unsuccessful spell in Inter Milan, which saw him manage only four league goals in 28 appearances, he moved to French club Bordeaux in 1988 where he again disappointed, and faced injuries and conflict with senior squad members.[3][8] His career was revived by a successful move to Auxerre in 1989, at the age of 23, under manager Guy Roux, which led to a return to Italy with Torino in 1991;[9] his second spell in Serie A was more successful, as he reached the 1992 UEFA Cup Final in his first season with Torino, and won the Coppa Italia the following season.[5] Scifo then moved to AS Monaco in 1993, where he enjoyed a similar level of success and won the French championship in 1997.[5] He returned to Anderlecht later that year and won his fourth Belgian league title in the 1999–2000 season.[10] He joined Charleroi in 2000, but retired later in the same season, at the age of 36, after being diagnosed with chronic arthritis.[3][11] In total, Scifo scored 121 league goals in 478 official matches.[3]
International career
Scifo made his senior international debut on 6 June 1984 for Belgium, in a 2–2 friendly draw against Hungary.[12] In Belgium's opening group match of UEFA Euro 1984, on 13 June, he attracted much publicity when he helped his team to a 2–0 victory over Yugoslavia; at the age of 18 years and 115 days, he was the youngest player ever to appear in the finals at the time.[5][13] Scifo featured in all three of Belgium's group matches in the tournament, as they placed third in their group and suffered a first round elimination.[14]
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He appeared for Belgium in the 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998 World Cups, playing sixteen games in total;[16] he is one of only 14 players to have participated in four World Cups, and one of only three Belgian players ever to do so.[5] Scifo helped his nation to the semi-finals of the 1986 edition of the tournament in Mexico, playing in all seven of his team's matches and scoring two goals as Belgium finished the tournament in fourth place; he was named the best young player of the tournament for his performances throughout the competition.[4][5] In the 1990 edition of the tournament, held in Italy, Scifo scored a notable goal from long range in Belgium's 3-1 first round victory over Uruguay, on 17 June, held in Verona;[5] the goal was later elected as the tenth greatest FIFA World Cup goal of the Century in a 2002 poll, with 2,935 votes.[17] Belgium were eventually eliminated in the second round against England; four years later, at U.S.A. '94, the Belgian side were once again eliminated in the second round.[5] Scifo retired from international football after Belgium's first round elimination in the 1998 World Cup held in France;[5] in total he gained eighty-four international caps and scored eighteen goals.[18]
Style of play
A highly creative midfielder with an eye for goal, Scifo was a classic number 10 playmaker who usually played as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers; he was also capable of playing as a central midfielder, where he functioned as a deep-lying playmaker, or as a wide midfielder along the right flank. Considered one of Belgium's greatest ever players,[19] his primary traits as a footballer were his excellent vision, tactical intelligence, and technical skills, which allowed him to orchestrate his team's attacking moves from midfield; he was also highly regarded for his balance on the ball, and his ability to dribble with his head up, as well as his accurate shooting and passing ability with his right foot, which enabled him both to score goals or create chances for his teammates. However, despite his talent, he was also criticised by his managers at times for his poor defensive work-rate off the ball, his introverted character, and for being selfish and inefficient at times, in particular in his youth, as he attempted too many individual dribbling runs, rather than looking to provide a simpler pass to an open teammate. Throughout his career, his unique playing style drew comparisons with Gianni Rivera, Giancarlo Antognoni, and his idol Michel Platini.[3][6]
After retirement
Scifo tried his hand at coaching with R. Charleroi S.C., joining them for the 2000–01 season. Indifferent results led to his resignation in June 2002. He later coached Tubize between 2004 and 2006, and later became head trainer of R.E. Mouscron, another Belgian League team, in 2007. On 6 June 2009, Scifo quit Mouscron due to the club's difficult financial situation.[20]
Scifo returned to club football with Mons between 2012 and 2013. Between 2015 and 2016, he served as the manager of the Belgium U21 national team. Scifo was appointed manager of Mouscron in 2021, but was dismissed from his position after a poor start to the season.[21] In 2024, Enzo Scifo was appointed talent manager of RAAL La Louvière, the successor club to Louviéroise where he started as a youth player.[22]
Career statistics
Club
| Club | Season | League | National cupTemplate:Efn | League CupTemplate:Efn | Europe | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Anderlecht | 1983–84 | Belgian League | 25 | 5 | 2 | 0 | – | 8Template:Efn | 1 | 35 | 6 | |
| 1984–85 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 2 | – | 4Template:Efn | 1 | 40 | 17 | |||
| 1985–86 | 31 | 5 | 2 | 0 | – | 5Template:Efn | 2 | 38 | 7 | |||
| 1986–87 | 33 | 8 | 6 | 0 | – | 5Template:Efn | 1 | 44 | 9 | |||
| Total | 119 | 32 | 16 | 2 | – | 22 | 5 | 157 | 39 | |||
| Inter Milan[24] | 1987–88 | Serie A | 28 | 4 | 10 | 0 | – | 6Template:Efn | 1 | 44 | 5 | |
| Girondins Bordeaux | 1988–89 | Division 1 | 24 | 7 | 0 | 0 | – | 6Template:Efn | 1 | 30 | 8 | |
| Auxerre | 1989–90 | Division 1 | 33 | 11 | 2 | 0 | – | 11Template:Efn | 5 | 46 | 16 | |
| 1990–91 | 34 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 37 | 14 | |||
| Total | 67 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | 83 | 30 | ||
| Torino[25] | 1991–92 | Serie A | 30 | 9 | 5 | 0 | – | 11Template:Efn | 2 | 46 | 11 | |
| 1992–93 | 32 | 7 | 6 | 2 | – | 4Template:Efn | 0 | 42 | 9 | |||
| Total | 62 | 16 | 11 | 2 | – | 15 | 2 | 88 | 20 | |||
| Monaco | 1993–94 | Division 1 | 31 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11Template:Efn | 2 | 44 | 8 |
| 1994–95 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | – | 13 | 3 | |||
| 1995–96 | 34 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 42 | 10 | ||
| 1996–97 | 15 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2Template:Efn | 0 | 20 | 5 | ||
| Total | 91 | 20 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 2 | 119 | 26 | ||
| Anderlecht | 1997–98 | Belgian League | 30 | 4 | 2 | 1 | – | 7Template:Efn | 2 | 39 | 7 | |
| 1998–99 | 27 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4Template:Efn | 0 | 34 | 9 | ||
| 1999–2000 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1Template:Efn | 0 | 21 | 3 | ||
| Total | 74 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 94 | 19 | ||
| Charleroi | 2000–01 | Belgian League | 12 | 3 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 13 | 3 | ||
| Career total | 477 | 121 | 53 | 9 | 11 | 2 | 87 | 18 | 628 | 150 | ||
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium[26] | 1984 | 8 | 1 |
| 1985 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 12 | 3 | |
| 1987 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1988 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1989 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1990 | 9 | 2 | |
| 1991 | 6 | 3 | |
| 1992 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1993 | 5 | 4 | |
| 1994 | 6 | 0 | |
| 1995 | 3 | 2 | |
| 1996 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 4 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 5 | 1 | |
| Total | 84 | 18 | |
- Scores and results list Belgium's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Scifo goal.[26]
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 October 1984 | Heysel Stadium, Brussels | Template:Fb | 2–1 | Template:Won | 1986 World Cup qualifier |
| 2 | 27 March 1985 | Heysel Stadium, Brussels | Template:Fb | 2–0 | Template:Won | 1986 World Cup qualifier |
| 3 | 8 June 1986 | Estadio Nemesio Díez, Toluca | Template:Fb | 1–0 | Template:Won | 1986 World Cup |
| 4 | 15 June 1986 | Estadio Nou Camp, León | Template:Fb | 1–1 | Template:Won | 1986 World Cup |
| 5 | 10 September 1986 | Heysel Stadium, Brussels | Template:Fb | 2–1 | Template:Draw | Euro 1988 qualifier |
| 6 | 26 May 1990 | Heysel Stadium, Brussels | Template:Fb | 1–0 | Template:Draw | Friendly |
| 7 | 17 June 1990 | Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, Verona | Template:Fb | 2–0 | Template:Won | 1990 World Cup |
| 8 | 27 February 1991 | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Brussels | Template:Fb | 3–0 | Template:Won | Euro 1992 qualifier |
| 9 | 11 September 1991 | Stade Josy Barthel, Luxembourg | Template:Fb | 1–0 | Template:Won | Euro 1992 qualifier |
| 10 | 9 October 1991 | Sóstói Stadion, Székesfehérvár | Template:Fb | 2–0 | Template:Won | Friendly |
| 11 | 25 March 1992 | Parc des Princes, Paris | Template:Fb | 2–1 | Template:Draw | Friendly |
| 12. | 13 February 1993 | Makario Stadium, Nicosia | Template:Fb | 1–0 | rowspan="2" Template:Won | 1994 World Cup qualifier |
| 13 | 2–0 | |||||
| 14 | 22 May 1993 | Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Brussels | Template:Fb | 2–0 | Template:Won | 1994 World Cup qualifier |
| 15 | 13 October 1993 | Stadionul Steaua, Bucharest | Template:Fb | 1–2 | Template:Lost | 1994 World Cup qualifier |
| 16. | 7 June 1995 | Philip II Arena, Skopje | Template:Fb | 2–0 | rowspan="2" Template:Won | Euro 1996 qualifier |
| 17 | 5–0 | |||||
| 18 | 6 June 1998 | King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels | Template:Fb | 1–0 | Template:Won | Friendly |
Honours
Anderlecht[3]
- Belgian First Division: 1984–85, 1985–86, 1986–87, 1999–2000
- Belgian Supercup: 1985
- Belgian League Cup: 2000[27]
- UEFA Cup: runners-up 1983–84[28]
- Jules Pappaert Cup: 1983, 1985, 2000[29]
- Bruges Matins: 1985[30]
- Belgian Sports Team of the Year: 2000[31]
Monaco[3]
Torino[3]
- Coppa Italia: 1992–93
- UEFA Cup: runners-up 1991–92
Belgium
- FIFA World Cup: fourth place 1986[32]
Individual
- Belgian Golden Shoe: 1984[33]
- Ballon d'Or nominations: 1984,[34] 1990,[35] 1992,[36] 1993[37]
- 4 FIFA World Cup participations: 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998[38]
- FIFA World Cup Best Young Player: 1986[39]
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1990[40]
- La Gazzetta dello Sport + Associated Press + Match World Cup All-Star Team: 1990[40]
- French Division 1 Foreign Player of the Year: 1990[41]
- Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year: 1990–91[42]
- Onze Mondial: 1993[43]
- Platina 11 (Best Team in 50 Years Golden Shoe Winners): 2003[44]
- The Best Golden Shoe Team Ever: 2011[45]
- RBFA 125 Years Icons Team: 2020[46]
- IFFHS All Time Belgium Dream Team: 2021[47]
References
External links
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- ↑ World Football Legends | Players | Enzo Scifo Template:Webarchive
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- Pages with script errors
- 1966 births
- Living people
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