Fabrizio Ravanelli, the former icon of OM and Juventus, has never left anyone indifferent, whether on or off the pitch. If his time with Olympique de Marseille between 1997 and 1999 remains marked by his 30 goals in 66 matches, it is another facet of his personality which resurfaces today: his reputation as a man reluctant to untie the cords from his purse, with a piquant anecdote to back it up.
Before setting foot on the pitch at the Vélodrome, “the White Feather” internationally, the “Silver Fox” for fans of Olympique de Marseille, had already carved out a reputation as a formidable scorer in Serie A and on the stage. European. Winner of the Champions League with Juventus in 1996, he made an impression thanks to his decisive goals and his emblematic celebration, jersey raised above his head.
A former teammate is Fabrizio Ravanelli
His English adventure at Middlesbrough, where he landed in 1996, revealed another aspect of his personality: a mixture of charisma, demandingness, and, according to his former teammates, avarice. A story shared by Craig Hignett, former midfielder of the club as reported by Daily Starsums up this reputation well. Ravanelli, then earning £42,000 a week (€50,500 at the current exchange rate) – a record at the time – reportedly refused to pay a milk bill of £4.50 (€5.5), believing that it was an “honor” for the milkman to serve him.
A player then manager in love with Olympique de Marseille
There is no shortage of anecdotes. During restaurant outings, Ravanelli would meticulously examine the bills, refusing to pay for dishes that he considered insufficiently to his taste. Same story with a telephone bill of £5,000 (€6,000), which he allegedly tried to negotiate by citing the free publicity he gave to the club's sponsor, Cellnet, during his celebrations.
If these stories make you smile, they in no way obscure Ravanelli's impact on football. An efficient scorer, he left an indelible mark wherever he went, from Reggio Emilia to Marseille. His entire temperament, often criticized for his outspokenness or his demands, also made him a professional driven by a quest for perfection.
Now aged 56, the Italian continues to inspire respect, in particular at Olympique de Marseille where he now occupies the role of institutional and sporting advisor. But in the collective memory, he also remains this colorful character, capable of setting stadiums on fire while sparking legendary anecdotes.
