Nicknamed Spillo ("Needle") for his slender build,[1] Altobelli was a prolific goalscorer and regarded as one of the greatest and most effective Italian strikers of the late 1970s and 1980s.

[1] After coming on in the seventh minute of play for the injured Francesco Graziani, he became the second ever substitute to score in a FIFA World Cup final (after Dick Nanninga in 1978 and with Rudi Völler and Mario Götze repeating this, in 1986 and in 2014, respectively).

He also represented Italy at Euro 88, where he played as the team's captain, leading the Italian squad to the semi-finals once again.

[2][3][6][7][8] Altobelli was a highly prolific goalscorer, who was regarded as a complete, world class striker.

[2][3] A well rounded centre-forward, with an eye for goal, he excelled in the air due to his heading accuracy, power, elevation, agility and acrobatic ability; he was also a fast, hard-working, and opportunistic player, with excellent technique, and he possessed an accurate shot with either foot, in spite of being naturally left-footed.