As a reward, his brother Aldo convinced the club to take him to Lisbon for a friendly with Benfica, which would be the final game of the Grande Torino.
The decision was a great disappointment to the second goalkeeper, Renato Gandolfi, who was notified on short notice.
[1] Gandolfi did not know that this event would later save his life, as both Ballarin brothers died together in the Superga air disaster.
In memory of their deaths, the town of Chioggia renamed its municipal stadium in honour of the two footballers.
Dino Ballarin was played by Matteo Taranto in the TV miniseries Il Grande Torino.