Pierino Prati was one of the finest strikers in Europe during the mid 1960's. He spent the majority of his career in Italy, most notable with AC Milan. The Italian striker won 7 titles during his time at Milan, with 4 of those being major European honours.
In addition to his excellence as a player, Prati still holds the record for being the last player to have scored a hat trick in a European Cup final. It took place in the year of 1969, when Milan faced Ajax.
Let us now celebrate the career of this magnificent player, as we look back at Prati's footballing years.
Player Profile and Playing Style
Pierino Prati was a talented player who excelled due to his opportunistic nature. He had a brilliant eye for goal, and was also capable of playing anywhere in the final-third. The Italian operated as a striker, supporting forward, and a winger throughout his career.
During his most successful stint at Milan, Prati was deployed as a winger due to his excellent pace, technique, and distribution. His dangerous aerial abilities and capability to shoot with immense power and accuracy made him a nightmare for defenders at the time.
Early Career: From U.S. Salernitana 1919 to AC Milan
Prati began his football career in Italy's third division by joining Salernitana. They ended up winning the Serie C1 and got promoted to Serie B during the 1965-66 season. It was after his promising displays at Salernitana that the Italian got a dream move to AC Milan in 1966.
Rise at AC Milan: Becoming a Key Player Under Nereo Rocco
It was at Milan where Prati enjoyed the most successful phase of his career. He was an instrumental part of that Milan side under Nereo Rocco, which went on to achieve great success during the 1960's and 70's.
Milan was a force to be reckoned with during this era, as Prati and his teammates won a Serie A title, 3 Coppa Italia, a European Cup, 2 European Cup Winners' Cup, and an Intercontinental Cup. His excellence partnership with teammate Gianni Rivera was vital to the team's immense success at the time.
Prati's Milan debut came against Venezia in the 1965-66 season, which Milan ended up winning 2-1. However, it was eventually decided to send him on loan for further experience. This led to Prati joining Serie B club Savona during the 1966–67 season.
The Italian striker immediately returned during the 1967–68 Serie A, as he helped the Rossoneri achieve domestic glory by scoring a league best 15 goals. Prati's highlight moment for Milan came in 1969, as he scored a hat trick to help his side demolish Ajax in that year's European Cup final.
He remains the last man to have scored a hat-trick in the Champions League/European Cup Final. Ferenc Puskás (twice) and Alfredo Di Stefano of Real Madrid are the only other players to have achieved this feat.
He eventually left Milan 4 years later in 1973. In total, Prati played 12 seasons of football in Serie A. The Italian scored over 100 goals during this period, with the likes of Milan, Roma, and Fiorentina being the beneficiaries.
Prati returned to his boyhood club Savona once again, and later joined American Rochester Lancers side in the NASL (North American Soccer League). He once again came back to Savona for one final run, before calling it time on an unforgettable career.
Legacy: Why Pierino Prati Remains an Underrated AC Milan Legend
Prati left football as one of the finest in Milan's history. The outstanding contributions and impact of his fellow teammate Gianni Rivera had undoubtedly overshadowed his achievements for Milan. Despite all of this, he will always hold a special place in the club's history.
Also Read |
