[2] Despite his creative role, he also had a notable eye for goal, as well as excellent technical ability, which, along with his acceleration and agility, allowed him to beat players with the ball, in particular during one on one situations.

[3][4] He represented Italy in their victorious UEFA Euro 1968 campaign, as well as at the 1970 FIFA World Cup, where they finished in second place, playing in the finals of both tournaments.

[4] As a manager, he coached several clubs, including Derthona on several occasions,[5] and Torres, at the beginning of the 1983–84 season.

[6] Born in Lallio,[7] province of Bergamo, he began his professional career with his local club Atalanta in 1960, winning the Coppa Italia in 1963, and finishing the tournament as the top goalscorer with five goals, also scoring a hat-trick in the final against Torino.

[4] He then moved to Inter Milan in 1964, and was a member of manager Helenio Herrera's highly successful "Grande Inter" squad; he played 164 times for the club, scoring 54 goals, winning two Serie A titles, two Intercontinental Cups, and a European Cup.