From childhood football albums to the corridors of FIFA, Evelina Christillin`s journey is a vivid tapestry woven with the threads of passion, influence, and unwavering loyalty. Her story offers a rare, insider`s perspective on the powerful Agnelli dynasty, the golden age of Juventus, and the complex machinations of global sport.
A Childhood Dream, a Storied Connection
Long before she became a prominent name in international sports administration, Evelina Christillin was simply a girl captivated by football. While other children collected animal stickers, young Evelina meticulously filled her Panini albums with the faces of Juventus players. Her early affinity for the Bianconeri was not just a passing phase; it was foundational, nurtured by a unique proximity to one of Italy`s most influential families: the Agnellis.
Her bond with the family stemmed from a personal connection – her father, Emilio, a former Lancia pilot, was a close friend of Gianni Agnelli, the legendary industrialist known affectionately as `L`Avvocato` (The Lawyer). Growing up alongside Agnelli’s children, Margherita and Edoardo, Christillin gained an unparalleled glimpse into a world of power, prestige, and an almost sacred devotion to Juventus.
The Wit and Wisdom of L`Avvocato
Gianni Agnelli was a man of immense charisma and sharp intellect, qualities that left an indelible mark on Christillin. He bestowed upon her the nickname “Moon Face” – a playful jab at her youthful, round features, which she now sees reflected in her own granddaughter. Agnelli`s influence wasn`t just familial; he recognized her nascent talent and, in 1998, personally appointed her president of the Torino 2006 Winter Olympics bid committee. It was a role that saw her navigate skeptical Olympic officials and ultimately secure the Games for her home city, a testament to her perseverance and perhaps, a dash of Agnelli`s persuasive magic.
L`Avvocato`s relationship with Juventus was legendary, filled with charming eccentricities and a knack for memorable pronouncements. He`d fly Christillin in his helicopter to the mountains for skiing, then swoop down to Villar Perosa to greet the team, before landing in Turin for a match. One of his favorite pastimes, Christillin recalls with a wry smile, was to playfully torment Juventus president Giampiero Boniperti during Turin derbies. Boniperti, unable to bear the tension, would famously leave the stadium at halftime, retreating to his study with earplugs to block out the crowd`s roars. Agnelli, after the game, would then visit him, fabricating elaborate, absurd stories about what had supposedly transpired, leaving Boniperti in a delightful state of disbelief.
Agnelli’s wit extended to his players, earning them iconic nicknames. Zbigniew Boniek, known for his prowess in evening matches, became “Bello di notte” (Handsome by Night). When Agnelli quipped that Boniek couldn`t be “Bello di notte” in a daytime game, the quick-witted Pole famously retorted he`d simply “wear sunglasses on the field.” Michel Platini, another Agnelli favorite, was admired not just for his skill but his intellectual sparring with L`Avvocato. Agnelli famously said he bought Platini for “a crust of bread and put foie gras on it.” Yet, Agnelli`s silent disapproval spoke volumes when management went against his implicit wishes, such as the sale of Zinedine Zidane – a decision that, Christillin notes, visibly displeased the patriarch.
Navigating the Storms of Modern Football
Christillin`s journey hasn`t been without its profound challenges, particularly as she transitioned from a personal connection to a professional role within international sports governance. The infamous Calciopoli scandal of 2006, which saw Juventus relegated to Serie B, hit hard. She believes Gianni Agnelli, had he been alive, would have accepted the penalties with a heavy heart, just as his chosen heir, John Elkann, did. With striking candor, Christillin admits that Juventus, during that era, likely benefited from a “psychological subservience” from referees – a nuanced insight from an insider that offers a glimpse into the sport`s murky undercurrents.
Then came the tempest of the Super League in 2021. As a UEFA member on the FIFA council, Christillin found herself in an agonizing position, caught between her deep loyalty to the Agnelli family and her professional duties. Unaware of Andrea Agnelli`s secretive involvement, she was thrust into a “tragic night” in UEFA`s war room, witnessing firsthand the global outcry. Though UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin affirmed her loyalty, the emotional toll was immense. The experience was so deeply unsettling that she found solace only at her parents` grave, pouring out her anguish. Since then, she has not returned to the Juventus Stadium, a poignant symbol of the personal cost of navigating loyalty amidst such colossal upheaval.
Beyond the Field: Personal Reflections and Tragedies
Christillin`s story extends beyond the realm of sport into deeply personal territory. She speaks with great empathy about the tragic suicide of Edoardo Agnelli, recalling a chance encounter just days before his death. She describes him as a “wonderful but fragile boy,” unable to bear the immense weight of his family`s legacy. Her reflection on their shared upbringing – raised by nannies, seeing parents infrequently – hints at the emotional complexities behind the gilded facade of privilege.
As a former skier, Christillin also grapples with the recent tragedies in her sport, mourning young Italian skiers Matteo Franzoso and Matilde Lorenzi. She highlights the alarming disparity in safety measures between competitive races and training sessions, where increased speeds and modern equipment exacerbate risks. It`s a sobering reminder that beneath the glamour of sport lie inherent dangers, echoing the high-stakes world of Formula One racing.
A Dignified Future?
Today, Evelina Christillin views the current Juventus team with cautious optimism. “The team seems orderly,” she observes, refraining from grand illusions. While she doesn`t expect them to reach the iconic heights of the teams led by Trapattoni, Lippi, or Conte, she finds the current iteration “dignified, and for now, that`s enough.”
Evelina Christillin remains a unique bridge between eras, a guardian of memories, and a voice of seasoned experience. Her journey, steeped in the grand narratives of Italian football and the Olympic movement, continues to offer invaluable insights into the enduring power of sport, its triumphs, its controversies, and the very human stories woven into its fabric.
