Renato Curi

Renato Curi was an Italian footballer who played as a midfielder. He is best known for his tenure as a Perugia mainstay in the 1970s until his tragic death during a league game against Juventus.

Biography

Renato Curi was born in Montefiore dell'Aso, Province of Ascoli Piceno in 1953. He started his professional career in 1969 with then-amateur club Giulianova, helping his side win promotion to Serie C. He left Giulianova in 1973 for Como, and then joined Serie B club Perugia one year later. Under the guidance of coach Ilario Castagner, he contributed to Perugia's historical first promotion to Serie A and became a grifoni mainstay in the following years. Notably, his impressive performances were instrumental in securing Perugia a historic sixth-place finish in their 1976–77 [Serie A|1976–77] Serie A campaign, fueling rumours of a possible call-up to the Italy national football team. However, this never came to fruition, as Curi suddenly died on 30 October 1977, during a home match against Juventus, just five minutes into the second half, due to a myocardial infarction.

Legacy

The Perugia home stadium where Curi died was later named after him. Also, a Serie D team is named Renato Curi Angolana.