Pierluigi Collina is a former Italian FIFA football referee who is widely regarded as the best referee of his generation. Named FIFA “Best referee of the Year” on six consecutive occasions, Collina is a current member of the UEFA Referees Committee helping to improve and preserve standards of Refereeing at the highest levels of elite football. A prolific football speaker, the addition of Pierluigi Collina at your event as an after dinner speaker is sure to increase interest and improve the memorability and success of it.
A no nonsense professional, Collina has officiated at the highest level as well as being involved within some of the most famous games in football history; taking control of the 1999 UEFA Champions League final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United, this was cited as his most memorable match due to the nature of the result. Collina has also officiated at the 1996 Olympic Games, the 2002 World Cup and the Euro 2004 which would prove to be his last major tournament. Taking brief stints out of retirement to help officiate charity match “Soccer Aid”, Pierluigi Collina has cemented his superiority within the sport, and has therefore established himself a prolific career as an after dinner speaker and football speaker.
An instantly recognisable figure within the sport due to his distinctive appearance, Collina contracted a severe form of alopecia, resulting in the permanent loss of all his facial hair, giving him his distinctive bald appearance and earning the nickname Kojak, Collina speaks of the psychological challenges that came with losing his hair at such a young age when he performs as a football speakerand he is admirably able to find humour in it, a testament to his wonderful character.
Having undertaken a multitude of corporate opportunities and sponsorship deals with companies such as Opel and the “Pro Evolution Soccer”video game franchise, Collina’s popularity is on par with football players and managers alike. An instantly recognisable character and football speaker to anyone with an interest within football and sport, Pierluigi Collina is unquestionably a phenomenal addition to events and occasions as a motivational football speaker. His rise through the ranks to establishing himself as the most inspiring, extraordinary and well-loved referee of his generation is something to behold and appreciate.
Although Collina is closely identified with football, his favourite sports club plays basketball. He is a lifelong supporter of Fortitudo Bologna, one of Europe’s leading basketball clubs. On 25 January 2010, Collina participated in a special match for supporting victims of the earthquake in Haiti opposing Friends of Zidane and Ronaldo and the Benfica team in Lisbon.
A well-loved official who has an extended ability as a football speaker, Collina was named the IFFHS World’s Best Referee on six occasions long with being named the Serie A Referee of the Year a quite remarkable seven times. Widely proclaimed as the greatest football referee or official to grace the game, Collina has an incredible knowledge base and a wealth of experiences that he is able to share with his audiences along with a host of tales and anecdotes from the unique perspective of an official, an insight that is rarely shared. Quite possibly the most respected man in football, The Italian Football Hall of Fame inductee, Pierluigi Collina is available to hire as a football speaker for any event or function.
