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July 3 - July 10, 2011 |
“Toronto is my second city” Bettega
Juventus champ recalls golden days with T.O. Blizzard soccer team
By Massimiliano Bordignon
Robert Bettega recently stopped off in Toronto and he talked to Corriere Canadese/Tandem about his relationship with the Canadian city he admits to being in love with. It's part of an enduring relationship that began in 1983 when he arrived in the city to don the Blizzard jersey.
The forward, who was born in Turin in 1950, played 48 games wearing that jersey, scoring 11 goals in the now defunct NASL. His presence in Canada, on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the Italian Republic, was more than symbolic. Toronto has a special place in the champion’s heart – he won with the Juventus as well as the national team jersey. For Bettega, however, the Canadian city isn’t just about sports, but also includes a very important work commitment: since 1974 the former Azzurro has been involved with Villanova Argol Group – a Fiat partner in the automotive and logistics sector. He prefers not to talk about soccer scandals (“I always want to be positive”), and whenever Toronto is mentioned, his eyes light up.
What is your relationship with this city like?
“I’ve returned here an infinite number of times, because in the period subsequent to my presence with the Blizzard, for three years I was coming here once a month to do two Telelatino broadcasts. Then I also worked for numerous shipping companies here in Canada. My relationship with Toronto has never been interrupted. I watched what I consider my second city grow. Not just me, but my entire family loves it. We’ve developed many relationships with people who have become something more than just friends. These are things that, as far as I’m concerned, last a lifetime. For my family and myself, it was an important life experience. I got to know a new culture, see new habits. In Italy we have a millennia-long history, here instead, it’s still a young culture. Anyways I also still belong to a generation where human relationships matter, and many people in Toronto have been important from this point of view.”
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