Sandro Mazzola, the Italian footballer who has died aged 83, was an accomplished forward who spent his entire 17-year career at Internazionale, winning two European Cups, four Serie A titles, and the 1968 European Championship with Italy. His significance extended beyond his trophies: he emerged as one of football's greats despite a deeply tragic childhood, having lost his father Valentino, the captain of Italy and Torino, in the 1949 Superga plane crash when Mazzola was only six years old.

Mazzola made his first-team debut for Inter in 1961 at the age of 18, going on to score 158 goals in 565 appearances. He was instrumental in Inter's European dominance under coach Helenio Herrera, defeating Real Madrid 3-1 in the 1964 European Cup final (in which he scored two goals) and Benfica the following year. For Italy, he won 70 caps and played in the 1970 World Cup final, where Brazil defeated his side 4-1. Despite lucrative offers from Juventus, including a doubled salary and a Fiat dealership, Mazzola remained loyal to Internazionale throughout his career, becoming a fixture alongside teammates including Spanish playmaker Luis Suárez and full-back Giacinto Facchetti.