[1] Regarded as one of Italy's greatest players, he won a gold medal at the 1936 Summer Olympics and a winner's medal at the 1938 FIFA World Cup while playing with the Italy national football team, and is only one of four Italian players to have managed this achievement.

He later also went on to win a winner's medal at the 1938 FIFA World Cup with Italy, and was named to the All-Star Team of the tournament.

Locatelli is one of only four Italians to have been doubly honoured at the Olympics and a World Cup; he never appeared on a losing side for the Italy national team.

[2][3][5] Locatelli was a small, quick, and agile player, with good technique, who also possessed an accurate shot, despite his lack of striking power.

He initially began his career as a centre-forward, and was later deployed as a defensive central midfielder whilst at Juventus under Umberto Caligaris.