In the intricate tapestry of Italian sport, few threads run as deep and connect as many pivotal moments as those woven by Evelina Christillin. A woman who has gracefully navigated the high-stakes world of competitive skiing, orchestrated an Olympic spectacle, and sat at the very heart of football`s global governance, Christillin offers a rare, unfiltered look into the lives, legends, and labyrinthine politics that define Italian and international sport.
A Childhood Infatuation: The Roots of a Lifelong Passion
Christillin`s journey into the sporting world began not with the glistening snow of the Alps, but on the sun-baked pages of a Panini sticker album. While other girls collected images of fluffy animals, young Evelina was drawn to the rugged faces of footballers, her heart captured by the likes of Juventus defender Sandro Salvadore. “He had a kind face, and he was born just two days after me,” she recalls, a testament to the charmingly idiosyncratic beginnings of her lifelong allegiance to the Bianconeri. Her childhood connection extended beyond mere fandom, however, as she became a schoolmate of Margherita Agnelli, Gianni Agnelli`s daughter, forging ties that would profoundly shape her future.
The Agnelli Era: Anecdotes of Power, Wit, and Football Lore
Her relationship with the legendary Gianni Agnelli, the `Avvocato` himself, was a unique blend of formal respect and playful banter. Agnelli, known for his sharp wit and equally sharp observations, bestowed upon Christillin the moniker “Moon Face” due to her youthful, round visage – a charming detail she notes has been inherited by her granddaughter. It was Agnelli who first invited her, a promising young skier competing at the B-national level, to join him on his helicopter for ski trips, a privilege that underscored their familial closeness.
Agnelli`s influence extended to every facet of Juventus. Christillin vividly recounts the Avvocato`s particular fondness for Michel Platini: “Because Michel had, and still has, a superior intelligence; he could hold his own with Agnelli, responding to his jokes where most players remained in timid silence.” This mutual respect fueled one of football`s most iconic partnerships, famously described by Agnelli, who acquired Platini for a pittance, as “buying him for a crust of bread and topping it with foie gras.”
However, not all decisions met with Agnelli`s approval. Christillin reveals his silent displeasure over the sale of Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid. Moggi and Giraudo, the club`s directors at the time, had assured Agnelli that Zidane would never be sold. When the transfer happened, Agnelli, true to his style, didn`t interfere or voice his anger directly, but his disappointment was palpable. He was a man who entrusted his managers, but expected loyalty and adherence to his vision.
The Avvocato`s eccentricities and affection for his club were legendary. Christillin shares tales of Agnelli`s helicopter rides from mountain slopes to the Juventus stadium, often stopping at Villar Perosa to greet the team. And then there were the derby pranks on former president Giampiero Boniperti. A devout traditionalist, Boniperti would often leave matches at halftime (or even earlier for the Turin derby) to avoid the agony of potential defeat, barricading himself in his study with earplugs. Agnelli would then visit, concocting elaborate, fictional match scenarios just to witness Boniperti`s incredulous reactions. As for Juventus`s great rival, Torino, Christillin attests to Agnelli`s and Boniperti`s “sacrosanct respect” for the Grande Torino, deeply touched by the Superga tragedy, despite the fierce on-field rivalry. Yet, the real derby, she notes, was always against Inter.
Beyond Football: The Turin 2006 Olympics and Global Governance
Christillin`s career wasn`t limited to football. Gianni Agnelli himself championed her to lead the organizing committee for the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics. In 1998, as a woman stepping into a male-dominated arena, she was initially dismissed as “the girl put there by the Avvocato.” Facing skepticism from powerful figures like Jean-Claude Killy and Juan Antonio Samaranch, she persevered, winning over the IOC president with a simple, genuine connection. “Agnelli called me: `It seems your meetings didn`t go well. They say you`re a nice, pretty girl…`” Christillin recounts with a hint of irony. Her response? “Avvocato, give me two more months. If I don`t succeed, I`ll go back to teaching history at the university.” She not only succeeded but enlisted Killy, her childhood idol, to lead the coordination commission, transforming initial doubt into enthusiastic collaboration.
The Storms of Calciopoli and the Super League
The interview delves into two of the most turbulent periods in modern Italian football: Calciopoli and the Super League. Christillin offers a sober reflection on Calciopoli, the 2006 scandal that saw Juventus relegated. She believes Gianni Agnelli, had he been alive, would have mirrored his nephew John Elkann`s pragmatic approach, accepting the Serie B relegation as a necessary consequence. While acknowledging Luciano Moggi`s continued claims of innocence, Christillin admits, “it seemed evident even then that Juventus enjoyed a certain psychological deference from referees.”
The Super League saga in 2021, however, struck a profoundly personal chord. As a UEFA member on the FIFA council, she found herself caught in a perfect storm between her familial ties to the Agnelli family (Andrea Agnelli was a key proponent of the Super League) and her professional loyalty to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. “I emerged humanly shattered from that story,” she confesses. Unaware of Andrea Agnelli`s late-night maneuvers, she faced accusations of betrayal. Ceferin, however, retained his trust: “He told me: `Absolutely not, I know you are loyal to us.`” The emotional toll was immense; she recounts driving back to Turin, making a detour to her parents` graves in Valle d`Aosta to weep and talk to them. Since that tragic night, she hasn`t returned to the Juventus Stadium, a poignant symbol of the emotional scar left by the crisis, making an exception only for a friend`s farewell match.
Personal Reflections and the Future of Sport
Christillin also touches on deeply personal tragedies, reflecting on the suicide of Edoardo Agnelli, Gianni`s son and her childhood friend. She describes Edoardo as a “wonderful but fragile boy” who couldn`t bear the weight of his family`s legacy. Her candid recounting of discovering his death underscores the human element behind public figures.
From the personal, she pivots to the broader concerns in sport, addressing the recent deaths of young skiers Matteo Franzoso and Matilde Lorenzi. “I saw Matteo Franzoso and Matilde Lorenzi grow up at the Sestriere ski club, two wonderful kids: educated, always smiling,” she shares, the pain evident. She raises critical questions about safety discrepancies between competitions and training, the impact of modern equipment, and the inherent risks of a high-speed sport. “Every skier is aware of the risks… a fall at 130 kilometers per hour can have lethal effects. It`s similar to what we say about Formula One drivers.”
Looking at the current state of Juventus, her beloved team, she is pragmatic: “The team seems organized. I don`t delude myself, 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 make do with it.”
A Legacy of Loyalty and Leadership
Evelina Christillin`s life is a testament to unwavering passion, strategic leadership, and profound personal integrity. From a child mesmerized by football stickers to a powerful voice in international sport, her narrative is a vital chronicle of Italian sporting history. She navigates the complex interplay of personal loyalty, professional duty, and the enduring love for the game with a refreshing blend of wit, candor, and a dignity that mirrors the sport she so deeply cherishes.
Elton Marrow