From the grand corridors of UEFA to the humble fan stands of Juventus, Evelina Christillin has carved an extraordinary path through the heart of Italian and international sport. Hers is a story deeply intertwined with legends, controversies, and the very fabric of the Agnelli dynasty. A rare blend of sharp intellect and unwavering passion, Christillin offers an unparalleled, often intimate, perspective on the game and its formidable figures.
A Childhood Dream, an Agnelli Connection
Christillin`s journey into the sporting world wasn`t a calculated career move but a lifelong calling. As a young girl in the 1960s, while other children coveted animal sticker albums, she found her joy in collecting images of footballers. Sandro Salvadore, a sturdy defender for Juventus, was an early favourite—not just for his play, but perhaps also for a shared birth month. This early immersion laid the groundwork for a connection that would define much of her public life.
Her bond with the Agnelli family, central to Juventus`s identity and Italy`s industrial might, was forged through proximity and heritage. A schoolmate of Gianni Agnelli’s daughter, Margherita, and with her father being a close friend of the legendary “Avvocato,” Christillin grew up within the orbit of one of Italy`s most powerful families. This rare vantage point granted her access to a world few could imagine, from casual interactions with players like Antonio Cabrini and Marco Tardelli to more profound engagements with Gianni Agnelli himself.
The “Moon Face” and the Olympic Bid
Gianni Agnelli, known for his incisive wit and equally incisive nicknames, affectionately christened Christillin “Moon Face” dueowing to her youthful, round visage. This personal touch underscored a relationship built on trust and mutual respect. It was Agnelli who, in 1998, put her forward to lead the bid for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics. The challenge was monumental, and the initial prognosis bleak. French skiing legend Jean-Claude Killy gave her a one-in-a-thousand chance.
Yet, Christillin, armed with her distinct blend of charisma and strategic acumen, proved the naysayers wrong. During a crucial meeting with then-IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch in Barcelona, instead of rigidly adhering to a script, she chose to speak primarily of football – a topic close to both their hearts. Agnelli, ever the watchful mentor, humorously relayed the feedback: “They say you`re a charming and pretty girl… but your talks didn`t go well.” Unfazed, Christillin requested more time, and ultimately, she secured the Olympics for Turin, a testament to her persuasive power and strategic mind.
Agnelli’s eccentricities and affection for Juventus are vivid in Christillin`s recollections. She recounts flying with him in his helicopter—to ski in the mountains, to greet the team at Villar Perosa, and then directly to the stadium for matches. These were not just journeys; they were rituals, often punctuated by Agnelli`s playful jabs, particularly aimed at club president Giampiero Boniperti. The tale of Boniperti, famously fleeing derby matches at halftime to avoid knowing the result, only to be fed increasingly outlandish fictional outcomes by Agnelli, paints a picture of a bygone era of football, where powerful figures mixed with a disarming human touch. And who could forget Agnelli`s persistent teasing of Boniperti for missing out on a young Maradona, to which Boniperti would half-jokingly reply he was “too Catholic” for a player with a surname so close to “Madonna”? Such anecdotes highlight a world where loyalty, sport, and a unique brand of familial camaraderie intersected.
Legends, Loyalties, and the Superleague Storm
Christillin`s insights extend to the pantheon of Juventus legends. Michel Platini, for instance, held a special place in Agnelli’s estimation. Unlike many players who would simply defer, Platini possessed the intellect to engage Agnelli in conversation, to parry his witticisms. Agnelli`s famous quip, “We bought Platini for a crust of bread and put foie gras on it,” encapsulated the brilliance he saw in the Frenchman. On the other hand, the controversial sale of Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid deeply displeased Gianni Agnelli, who had been assured by then-executives Moggi and Giraudo that the player was not for sale. Though Agnelli never interfered with team decisions, his silent disapproval spoke volumes.
Her perspective also sheds light on Juventus`s more turbulent periods. Regarding Calciopoli in 2006, Christillin believes Gianni Agnelli would have reacted pragmatically, much like his heir John Elkann, accepting relegation to Serie B as a painful necessity. Yet, with a touch of candid realism, she acknowledges the pervasive claims of psychological advantage Juventus held with referees at the time, without absolving other clubs of their own transgressions, citing the Recoba passport scandal at Inter.
The 2021 Superleague saga, however, presented Christillin with a profound personal and professional dilemma. As a UEFA representative on the FIFA council, she found herself in the “war room” during a “tragic night,” caught between her deep loyalty to the Agnelli family and her professional commitment to UEFA. She endured suspicion and accusations of being a “snake in the grass” for Andrea Agnelli’s unilateral move. Yet, UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin’s trust in her, and her own integrity, saw her through the crisis. The emotional toll was immense, leading her to make a pilgrimage to her parents` graves and, perhaps more tellingly, to largely step away from attending Juventus matches—a testament to the deep conflict of loyalties she faced.
Beyond the Pitch: Broader Horizons
Christillin`s sphere of influence extends far beyond football. Her experience as a competitive skier informs her poignant reflections on recent tragedies in the sport, such as the deaths of Matteo Franzoso and Matilde Lorenzi. She highlights the stark safety discrepancies between competitive races and training sessions, and the increased risks posed by modern equipment and higher speeds—a sobering parallel she draws with Formula One racing. Her engagement with diverse figures, like her friendship with Silvia Salis, the new mayor of Genoa and a former hammer thrower, further underscores her broad appreciation for the world of sport and its multifaceted impacts.
As for the current state of Juventus, Christillin offers a pragmatic assessment. The team, she observes, appears “ordered” and “dignified,” a sufficient state for the moment, though a far cry from the formidable eras of Trapattoni, Lippi, or Conte. It`s a statement reflecting a blend of enduring affection and clear-eyed realism.
An Enduring Legacy
Evelina Christillin`s narrative is a compelling tapestry woven from personal intimacy with sporting giants, strategic brilliance in high-stakes governance, and an unwavering, albeit sometimes conflicted, love for the game. She is more than a witness; she is a participant who has shaped significant chapters in Italian sports. Her story is a rare testament to how dedication, intelligence, and an authentic human touch can navigate the complex, often tumultuous, landscape of professional sports, leaving an indelible mark for generations to come.
Murray Blackwood