In the intricate tapestry of Italian sport and society, few figures possess a vantage point as unique and expansive as Evelina Christillin. A former national skier, a prominent sports administrator, and a lifelong witness to the powerful Agnelli dynasty, Christillin`s life story is a compelling narrative of loyalty, principle, and the dramatic evolution of football.
A Childhood Woven with Black and White
While other children meticulously collected animal stickers, young Evelina was filling albums with the faces of football stars. Her passion for Juventus wasn`t just a fleeting childhood fancy; it was a deeply ingrained allegiance. Born into a world closely connected to the illustrious Agnelli family—her father, a former Lancia rally driver, was a close friend of Gianni Agnelli, and she was a schoolmate of his daughter Margherita—Christillin’s early years offered a rare glimpse into the inner workings of Italian high society and its inseparable bond with the nation`s most iconic football club.
She recalls a time when Juventus players were almost an extension of their social circle, visiting their school and becoming part of their lives. Her personal favourites weren`t always the obvious choices; rather than the dashing Antonio Cabrini, she harboured a soft spot for Marco Tardelli, a detail amusingly complicated by his eventual marriage to another of her classmates. This early immersion laid the foundation for a life where sport, influence, and personal connection would consistently intertwine.
From Olympic Slopes to Global Stages
Christillin’s own athletic prowess wasn`t confined to hypothetical football prowess. A talented skier, she reached the B-national team, even competing in World Cup events. It was in this arena that her connection with Gianni Agnelli blossomed, leading to invitations for heli-skiing excursions – a rather exclusive mode of transport for an athlete of any calibre. Agnelli, with his famous penchant for witty observations, even bestowed upon her the nickname “Moon Face,” a gentle jest at her youthful, round complexion.
However, it was her transition into sports administration that truly catapulted her onto the global stage. Agnelli personally championed her appointment as president of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics bid committee. Her initial meetings were, shall we say, “challenging.” French ski legend Jean-Claude Killy offered a daunting “one in a thousand chance,” while her crucial conversation with then-IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch veered almost entirely into discussions about football. Yet, with a blend of tenacity and perhaps that uniquely Italian knack for persuasive charm, Christillin defied the odds, securing the Games for Torino and proving that her diplomatic skills extended far beyond mere pleasantries.
The Agnelli Era: Legends, Laughs, and Unwritten Rules
Christillin’s anecdotes from the Gianni Agnelli era paint a vivid picture of a man who was both a titan of industry and a playful, deeply invested football enthusiast. His helicopter journeys were legendary: swooping down to Villar Perosa to greet the team, then on to Turin for the match, often with a mischievous stop to prank the stoic president Boniperti. The image of Boniperti, famously unable to bear derby tension, retreating to his study with earplugs, only for Agnelli to invent outlandish match outcomes, is pure theatrical delight. His affectionate teasing of Boniperti for missing out on a young Maradona—allegedly because Boniperti was “too Catholic” to sign a player whose name sounded vaguely blasphemous—offers a delicious slice of sporting folklore.
Agnelli’s relationship with Michel Platini was particularly telling. He admired Platini`s “superior intelligence” and his willingness to engage in witty repartee, a stark contrast to the deferential silence of most players. This mutual respect underpinned one of Juventus`s golden ages. Agnelli’s razor-sharp nicknames, from Boniek’s “Bello di Notte” (Night Beauty) to Del Piero’s “Pinturicchio,” further illustrate his unique way of connecting with—and subtly dominating—his players. Christillin also recounts Agnelli’s quiet frustration when Moggi and Giraudo sold Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid, a clear violation of a promise, yet he famously refrained from direct interference, adhering to an unwritten code of leadership.
The Crucible of Crisis: Calciopoli and the Super League
No story of modern Italian football is complete without confronting its seismic crises, and Christillin was at the heart of two of the most significant. Her perspective on Calciopoli, the 2006 scandal that rocked Italian football, is nuanced. While Moggi staunchly maintains his innocence, Christillin acknowledges the “psychological deference” referees often displayed towards Juventus – a frank admission from a lifelong Bianconera. She believes Gianni Agnelli would have, with a heavy heart, accepted the Serie B relegation, mirroring his nephew John Elkann’s pragmatic approach.
However, it was the 2021 Super League saga that truly tested her loyalties and principles. As a UEFA member on the FIFA council, she found herself in the “war room” in Montreux, a tragic night of frantic phone calls from heads of state and accusations of betrayal. Despite her lifelong bond with the Agnelli family, particularly Andrea Agnelli who spearheaded the Super League initiative, Christillin remained steadfast in her loyalty to UEFA. The emotional toll was immense. She describes driving back to Turin alone, making a poignant detour to her parents` graveside in Valle d’Aosta to weep and seek solace. It was a moment of profound personal conflict, leading her to largely step away from attending Juventus matches at the stadium, a testament to her professional integrity overriding personal sentiment.
Juventus Today and Tomorrow
Today, Christillin observes her beloved Juventus with a pragmatic eye. The current team, she notes, appears “ordered” and “dignified,” but acknowledges it may never reach the heights of the Trapattoni, Lippi, or Conte eras. “For now,” she concludes, “that`s enough.” It’s a tempered assessment, reflecting the club`s journey through recent challenges and its ongoing effort to rebuild a competitive identity without the historical dominance it once commanded.
Evelina Christillin`s life is a masterclass in navigating complex worlds—from elite sport to high finance, from political diplomacy to the passionate tribalism of football. She remains a figure of unwavering principle, a woman who has seen the game change dramatically, yet holds fast to her convictions. Her story is not just a chronicle of football history, but a personal testament to loyalty, resilience, and the sometimes-painful choices demanded by integrity.
Elton Marrow