From childhood football fandom to orchestrating the Winter Olympics and challenging global football politics, Evelina Christillin`s life is a vivid tapestry woven with threads of personal passion, professional acumen, and an unparalleled proximity to Italy`s most influential family, the Agnellis. Her narrative offers a rare, intimate glimpse into the high-stakes world where sport, legacy, and loyalty often collide.
A Childhood Steeped in Juventus and High Society
Evelina Christillin`s journey began not on the polished floors of corporate boardrooms, but on the terraces of Turin, fueled by a childhood obsession with Juventus. While other girls meticulously collected animal stickers, young Evelina poured over Panini albums, memorizing stats and faces, her heart set on rugged defenders like Sandro Salvadore. This early passion was intrinsically linked to her unique upbringing, a fascinating blend of elite sport and the inner circles of Italian power.
Her family’s close friendship with the Agnelli dynasty – through her father, a former Lancia rally driver, and her schooling alongside Gianni Agnelli`s children, Margherita and Edoardo – provided an extraordinary vantage point. This was a world where football, business, and personal relationships were inextricably intertwined, shaping Christillin’s perspective from a tender age.
Alpine Ascents and Olympic Dreams: The “Moon Face” Architect
Beyond the football pitches, Christillin carved her own path on the ski slopes, earning a place in Italy`s national B-team and even competing in World Cup races. Though she humorously describes herself as “good, but not brilliant,” her talent was enough to catch the eye of Gianni Agnelli himself. He famously offered her a spot on his helicopter for ski trips, testing her mettle on the untouched powder. It was Agnelli, with his sharp wit, who affectionately (or perhaps, discerningly) christened her “Moon Face” – a nickname she still recounts with a laugh, noting her granddaughter`s similar plight.
Agnelli’s faith in her extended far beyond mere camaraderie. In 1998, he championed her for the presidency of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics Bid Committee. What followed was a masterclass in diplomacy and sheer willpower. Facing formidable odds, including an initial “one in a thousand” chance from French ski legend Jean-Claude Killy and a football-centric conversation with IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch, Christillin refused to be relegated to the role of “the Avvocato’s girl.” She secured the bid, turning skeptics into collaborators, including Killy, who later chaired the Games’ coordination commission. This accomplishment firmly established her as a force in her own right, proving her capabilities extended far beyond mere connections.
Anecdotes of Giants: Platini, Zidane, and the Avvocato`s Witticisms
Her proximity to the Agnelli family gifted Christillin a treasury of stories, painting vivid portraits of Juventus`s golden eras. Gianni Agnelli`s fondness for Michel Platini, for instance, stemmed from the Frenchman`s sharp intellect and willingness to challenge the Avvocato`s legendary wit. Agnelli`s famous quip about acquiring Platini “for a crust of bread, then adding foie gras” perfectly encapsulates his appreciation for Platini’s genius and bold spirit. Christillin remains in touch with Platini and other club legends like Alessandro Del Piero, discussing everything from football to international politics.
Not all decisions, however, met with Agnelli’s full approval. The sale of Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid, despite assurances from then-directors Moggi and Giraudo, left Agnelli silently seething. Yet, in a testament to his managerial philosophy, he never interfered with sporting decisions, an unwritten rule Christillin insists he strictly adhered to.
Agnelli’s flair for memorable nicknames was legendary: Zbigniew Boniek was “Bello di Notte” (Beautiful by Night) for his evening exploits, Del Piero “Pinturicchio.” Christillin recalls a playful exchange where Agnelli told Boniek he wouldn`t be “Bello di Notte” for a daytime match, to which Boniek retorted, “Then I`ll wear sunglasses on the field!” Such stories highlight the unique blend of reverence and camaraderie that defined the Juventus of that era.
The Crucible of Loyalty: Calciopoli and Super League
The darker chapters of Juventus history also form part of Christillin`s narrative. She candidly acknowledges the “psychological subservience” referees showed towards Juventus during the Calciopoli scandal, a sentiment echoed by her observation that “it was evident then that Juventus benefited from a certain psychological subservience from the referees.” She believes Gianni Agnelli, had he been alive, would have accepted the Serie B relegation with a heavy heart, just as his nephew John Elkann did, prioritizing the club`s long-term future over denial.
The Super League saga in 2021, however, plunged Christillin into a profound personal and professional crisis. As a UEFA council member within FIFA, she found herself caught between her lifelong loyalty to the Agnelli family and Juventus, led by Andrea Agnelli, and her professional allegiance to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. The night the Super League broke was, for her, “tragic,” unfolding in UEFA`s war room as world leaders weighed in. Suspected by some of being a “snake in the grass” for Andrea Agnelli, she found reassurance in Ceferin’s trust, confirming her loyalty to UEFA. The emotional toll was immense; she returned to Turin, driving alone, and found solace by visiting her parents’ grave, pouring out her sorrow. The incident led to a personal estrangement from watching Juventus live at the stadium, a poignant symbol of the emotional cost of that tumultuous period.
Today, her relationship with Andrea Agnelli remains cordial yet distant, a testament to the lingering complexities. “I love him as always, and it couldn`t be otherwise,” she states, acknowledging her enduring gratitude to the Agnelli family. “But in the days of the Super League, I worked for UEFA, and I had to be loyal to UEFA.”
Personal Sorrows and Enduring Passions
Christillin`s narrative is also touched by deep personal sorrow. She recounts the tragic suicide of Edoardo Agnelli, a childhood friend, describing him as a “wonderful but fragile boy” unable to bear the weight of his family`s legacy. Her observations on the distant parenting common in their aristocratic circles offer a nuanced perspective on the pressures faced by those born into such prominent families.
Her concern for the safety of young athletes is palpable, particularly in light of recent skiing tragedies involving Matteo Franzoso and Matilde Lorenzi, whom she watched grow up in her local ski club. She points to the stark differences in safety protocols between competitions and training, and the impact of modern equipment on speed and risk, drawing a parallel to the inherent dangers faced by Formula One drivers.
The Current State of the Bianconeri
Turning to the present-day Juventus, Christillin offers a pragmatic, if slightly reserved, assessment. “The team seems orderly to me,” she notes, without illusions of past glories. “There`s a long way to go, and I don`t think it will ever become the Juventus of Trapattoni, Lippi, or Conte, but it`s a dignified Juventus, and today we`ll make do with that.” It`s a statement reflecting both her enduring passion and a sober acceptance of the club`s current reality.
Evelina Christillin`s life is a masterclass in navigating power, passion, and principle. From her early days as a devoted Juventus fan to her pivotal role in global sports governance, she has remained a compelling figure, offering a unique, unvarnished insight into the intricate world she inhabits. Her story is not just about football or skiing; it`s about loyalty, leadership, and the human cost of being at the heart of the game.
Murray Blackwood