Pierluigi Cera

Pierluigi Cera

Personal information
Full name	Pierluigi Cera
Date of birth	(1941-02-25) 25 February 1941
Place of birth	Legnago, Verona, Veneto, Italy
Height
Position(s)	Midfielder Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1957–1964	Verona	141	(7)
1964–1973	Cagliari	240	(4)
1973–1979	Cesena	97	(0)
International career
1963	Italy under-21	7	(0)
1969–1972	Italy	18	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Pierluigi Cera (born 25 February 1941 in Legnago) is a former Italian footballer who played as a midfielder or as a defender, most notably for Cagliari, and the Italy national football team.

Club career

During his club career, Cera played for Verona (1957–64), Cagliari (1964–73), and Cesena (1973–79). He captained Cagliari to the Serie A title in 1970, the first and only league title in the club's history.

International career

At international level, Cera earned 18 caps for the Italy national football team between 1969 and 1972, and played in the 1970 FIFA World Cup, including the 1970 FIFA World Cup Final, where Italy finished in second place.

Style of play

A versatile player, Cera was capable of playing both as a midfielder playmaker, and also as a defender, in the role of Libero or sweeper, a position which he occupied later in his career, due to his vision, passing and creativity, as well as his defensive attributues, which made him, alongside Franz Beckenbauer, one of the first offensive sweepers of his time.

Honours

Club

Cagliari

• Serie A: 1969–70

International

Italy

• FIFA World Cup (Runner-up): 1970

Individual

• Cagliari Greatest XI of all-time