Andrea Fortunato’s story is one that blends the highs of footballing promise with the cruel unpredictability of fate, a career that seemed destined for greatness yet was tragically cut short.
PART ONE
Born in Salerno on July 26, 1971, Andrea Fortunato emerged as one of Italy’s most exciting defensive prospects in the early 1990s. A left-back, Fortunato´s footballing odyssey began in the youth ranks of Como, where his natural athleticism and tactical intelligence marked him out as a player of rare promise.
In addition to football, he dabbled in swimming and water polo, testament to his all-round sporting ability. However, it was football that captured his heart, and at the age of 17, he made his professional debut for Como in Serie B on October 29, 1989, in a narrow 1-0 victory over Cosenza.
His first season saw him make 16 appearances, but it ended in disappointment as Como suffered relegation to Serie C1. Nevertheless, Fortunato quickly became a mainstay in the team, and his 27 league appearances in the following campaign helped Como challenge for an immediate return to the second tier. They ultimately fell short in the playoffs against Venezia, but Fortunato had done enough to attract the attention of bigger clubs.
Genoa, Italy’s oldest football club, recognized Fortunato’s talent and secured his services in 1991. However, breaking into the first team was no easy task, given the presence of the experienced Brazilian Branco in his preferred left-back position. His frustration boiled over, culminating in a heated exchange with assistant coach Sergio Maddè, which led to him being labeled an “arrogant hothead”—perhaps unfairly so.
With first-team opportunities limited, Fortunato was sent on loan to Pisa for the 1991–92 season. In Serie B, he played 25 games, rediscovering his confidence and showcasing the lung-busting runs that would become his trademark. On his return to Genoa, he finally got his chance, making his Serie A debut on September 6, 1992, in a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.
Teaming up with the equally promising Christian Panucci on the opposite flank, Fortunato thrived in the Grifoni’s backline. His performances throughout the 1992–93 season were nothing short of sensational; he played 33 league games and even found the net three times, including a crucial equalizer in a 2-2 draw against eventual champions AC Milan.
PART TWO
His dynamic displays had not gone unnoticed, and in the summer of 1993, Italian giants Juventus swooped in, securing Fortunato for a fee of 12 billion Lire. It was a move that felt like destiny—Juventus had a proud tradition of world-class full-backs, and now the number 3 shirt, once worn by the legendary Antonio Cabrini, had a new owner.
Under Giovanni Trapattoni, Fortunato hit the ground running. His tireless energy down the left flank made him a vital attacking outlet, supplying pinpoint crosses for an attack that included Roberto Baggio, Fabrizio Ravanelli, and Gianluca Vialli. His defensive discipline also earned plaudits, and his performances saw him described as a “revelation of Italian football” by Arrigo Sacchi.
Sacchi had seen enough to call Fortunato up for international duty, and on September 22, 1993, he earned his first and only cap for Italy in a World Cup qualifier against Estonia in Tallinn. The Azzurri won 3-0, and Fortunato’s performance suggested he could be a long-term replacement for Paolo Maldini in the national team setup.
Just as his career was reaching its zenith, an inexplicable dip in form raised concerns. The relentless energy that had defined his game seemed to evaporate, and he struggled to complete matches. Initially dismissed as fatigue, the reality was far graver. In May 1994, doctors diagnosed Fortunato with a rare form of leukemia.
He immediately began chemotherapy, and when a suitable bone marrow donor could not be found, his sister Paola stepped in. Unfortunately, the transplant was unsuccessful. Fortunato’s fight took him to Perugia, where a second transplant, this time from his father, appeared to offer hope. Despite his deteriorating condition, he remained listed in Juventus’ squad for the 1994–95 season and even traveled with the team for a match against Sampdoria in February 1995.
Although there were moments of optimism, his body ultimately succumbed to the disease. A flu turned into pneumonia, and on April 25, 1995, Andrea Fortunato passed away at the age of 23 in Perugia.
His passing sent shockwaves through Italian football. The Italian national team, in Vilnius for a Euro 1996 qualifier against Lithuania, observed a minute’s silence before kick-off, and when they won 1-0, the players dedicated the victory to their fallen comrade.
Juventus, meanwhile, honored Fortunato by dedicating their Serie A title triumph to him. His number 3 shirt, though not officially retired, was kept out of circulation for a long time, a silent tribute to a talent whose full potential was never realized.