From the ski slopes of Italy to the intricate political corridors of international football, Evelina Christillin has carved out a truly unique narrative. Her journey is not merely a personal chronicle but a vibrant tapestry woven through the very heart of Italian sport, punctuated by legendary figures, iconic institutions, and moments of profound historical significance.
The “Moon Face” and the Bianconeri Beginnings
Christillin’s affinity for sport began remarkably early. While other girls her age collected animal stickers, she found her devotion in Panini albums, diligently filling pages with the faces of Juventus players from the 1966-67 season. Her childhood hero was the stalwart defender Sandro Salvadore, admired not just for his robust play but for a shared November birthdate. This early passion was deepened by a unique proximity to the sport`s aristocracy: she attended school with Margherita and Edoardo Agnelli, children of the iconic Gianni Agnelli, forging a bond that would shape her life.
It was Gianni Agnelli, the legendary industrialist and patron of Juventus, who bestowed upon her the affectionate moniker “Moon Face,” a playful nod to her youthful, round visage. This closeness transcended mere acquaintance, evolving into a mentorship that would see Christillin ascend to significant roles. She recounts flying in Agnelli’s helicopter – a rather unconventional mode of transport – for ski trips and even for impromptu visits to the Juventus squad before matches. These anecdotes paint a vivid picture of an era where personal relationships and an almost familial atmosphere defined the club`s upper echelons.
Agnelli`s Wit: A Game of Minds and Nicknames
Gianni Agnelli was celebrated for his sharp intellect and cutting wit, qualities Evelina Christillin witnessed firsthand. His playful banter often targeted loyal club president Giampiero Boniperti, particularly regarding the supposed missed opportunity to sign a young Diego Maradona. Agnelli would gleefully recount how Boniperti, with staunch Catholic piety, allegedly deemed Maradona`s surname “vaguely blasphemous” – a jest that highlighted Agnelli`s global network and his uncanny ability to unearth talent from afar.
His knack for nicknames was equally renowned: Zbigniew Boniek became “Bello di Notte” (Beauty of the Night) for his dazzling performances under floodlights, Alessandro Del Piero “Pinturicchio” for his artistic touch, and Roberto Baggio “Coniglio Bagnato” (Wet Rabbit) for his perceived shyness. Christillin recalls a delightful exchange where Agnelli, noting Boniek`s “Beauty of the Night” prowess, challenged him to perform in a daytime game, only for Boniek to quip about wearing sunglasses on the pitch.
However, Agnelli’s leadership was not without its firm boundaries. Despite his deep involvement, he maintained a strict policy of non-interference in team management. Christillin attests that he never once offered formation advice to a coach, although his silent disappointment over the sale of Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid spoke volumes about his deep emotional investment in the club.
From Ski Slopes to Olympic Glory: Torino 2006
Before her administrative career in football, Christillin was a competitive skier, even reaching the national B-team. This background proved invaluable when Gianni Agnelli personally endorsed her for the presidency of the organizing committee for the Turin 2006 Winter Olympics. It was a daunting task, filled with skepticism from powerful figures like Jean-Claude Killy and Juan Antonio Samaranch. Killy, a French ski legend, initially gave Turin a “one in a thousand” chance, while Samaranch, the then-IOC President, preferred to discuss football.
Yet, Christillin, with a blend of charm and tenacious negotiation, turned the tide. She persuaded Samaranch, secured the bid, and even brought Killy on board as head of the coordinating commission. Her account of returning to the Olympic champion who had once been her youthful idol, this time as a colleague, underscores her remarkable ascent from an ambitious athlete to a respected sports diplomat.
Navigating the Storms: Calciopoli and the Super League Saga
Christillin`s career spanned periods of both triumph and turmoil in Italian football. She reflects on Calciopoli in 2006 with a pragmatic eye, believing Gianni Agnelli would have accepted the Serie B relegation, albeit “with a heavy heart,” much like his heir, John Elkann. She candidly acknowledges the “psychological subservience” that referees sometimes exhibited towards Juventus, a statement that, while controversial, offers an insider`s perspective on the club`s immense influence during those years.
Perhaps her most challenging moment came with the sudden emergence of the Super League in 2021. As a UEFA member on the FIFA council, she found herself in an unenviable position, caught between her enduring loyalty to the Agnelli family – whose scion, Andrea Agnelli, spearheaded the breakaway league – and her professional duties to UEFA, whose president, Aleksander Ceferin, decried it as an act of “betrayal.” The emotional toll was immense. She describes it as a “tragic night” in the UEFA “war room,” a personal crisis that led her to seek solace at her parents` grave, a profound moment that highlights the human cost of such high-stakes decisions.
Though the Super League failed, the experience left an indelible mark. Christillin ceased attending Juventus matches at the stadium, a poignant symbol of the emotional conflict. Her relationship with Andrea Agnelli remains cordial, rooted in shared history and family connections, but her unwavering loyalty to UEFA during the crisis stands as a testament to her professional integrity.
A Look Ahead: Personal Loss and the Future of Sport
Christillin`s narrative is also tinged with personal reflections on loss and the evolving nature of sport. She recounts a poignant encounter with Edoardo Agnelli shortly before his tragic suicide, a moment that underscored his fragility despite his privileged upbringing. She also shares her sorrow over the recent deaths of young skiers Matteo Franzoso and Matilde Lorenzi, reflecting on the escalating risks in modern skiing due to technological advancements and increased speeds, drawing parallels to the inherent dangers faced by Formula One drivers.
As for the current state of Juventus, she remains cautiously optimistic. She views the team as “ordered” and “dignified,” acknowledging that while it may not replicate the golden eras under Trapattoni, Lippi, or Conte, it is a team that fans “can make do with for now.” This pragmatic assessment reflects a seasoned perspective, one that understands the cycles of sport and the need for patience.
Evelina Christillin`s life is a masterclass in navigating complex worlds. From befriending one of Italy`s most powerful families to orchestrating an Olympic Games and surviving the seismic shifts of modern football politics, she offers a rare and candid perspective. Her story is a compelling reminder that behind every grand sporting narrative, there are individuals whose experiences shape – and are shaped by – the history they live through, making her a truly indispensable witness to the evolution of sport.
Gilbert Pendleton