Pierluigi Collina – Inner Strength

Pierluigi Collina – Inner Strength is a fascinating story about one of the best referees in the world. The man without hair is not only known for his appearance but also as an outstanding example, inspiration, and role model for leaders.

Pierluigi Collina was born on February 13, 1960, in Bologna, Italy, and was an enthusiastic football player in his youth. At the age of 17, a good friend persuaded him to attend a course for football referees. There, Pierluigi Collina’s talent was quickly recognized, and he soon realized that he wanted to become a referee.

Refereeing was something he initially pursued on the side, as his main focus was on his studies in economics at the University of Bologna. Nonetheless, Pierluigi Collina officiated his first football matches as a referee. He once put it this way: “I refereed in places that were hard to find on the map.”

Impressive from the Start

From the very beginning, Pierluigi Collina proved to be a skilled referee. Even as a young referee dealing mostly with older football players, he managed to make the right decisions under great pressure.

At the age of 24, however, he faced a severe personal setback. He developed a severe form of hair loss (alopecia universalis) and lost all his hair, not just on his head but all over his body within a few weeks. This was a tough time for Pierluigi Collina. While he could withdraw privately, as a referee, he was always in the spotlight, which was an immense psychological burden for him.

Derogatory Remarks

Despite many derogatory comments about his appearance and sudden baldness, Pierluigi Collina was determined to continue his path as a referee. He worked his way up step by step to higher football leagues, and by the age of 31, he was already officiating matches in the top Italian league.

Pierluigi Collina trained up to five days a week to stay fit and prepared meticulously for each match. He knew everything about the teams, players, and tactics, which allowed him to react appropriately to various situations in the games. He said, “I have to be completely able to read the game.”

Great Charisma and Determination

Pierluigi Collina was characterized by his great charisma and determination as a referee. His striking appearance and distinctive facial expressions quickly made him a celebrity among football referees. He often made unconventional decisions; in one match, he didn’t allow the teams to switch sides to prevent a goalkeeper from being attacked by projectiles from the fans.

In another match, he showed a red card to a substitute on the bench for insulting the referee, even though there was no official rule for it at the time. The rulebook was amended shortly thereafter because of this unique action. Pierluigi Collina analyzed his matches thoroughly to avoid repeating past mistakes. He said, “Everyone makes mistakes in football, but no one is as publicly criticized for them as referees.”

Pierluigi Collina – Inner Strength

Pierluigi Collina rose to become one of the world’s best referees due to his talent. He officiated the 1999 Champions League final and the most important matches at European Championships, Olympic Games, and World Cups.

From 1998 to 2003, he was named “World Referee of the Year” six times in a row. Pierluigi Collina also became a role model for many people, including those suffering from hair loss and alopecia. His example shows that you can achieve anything in life if you have enough willpower and perseverance. His inner strength was crucial to his success—an essential quality for leaders today.

Author:

Matthias Hettl is known as an international management consultant. He trains and coaches board members, executives, and leaders. He has also held a professorship in management and has extensive leadership expertise. He has experience as a supervisory board member, CEO, and internationally as a consultant for the United Nations. As a renowned management and leadership expert, he is a sought-after speaker.

For more information visit: Hettl Consult