He may have taken charge of his last game more than a decade ago but Pierluigi Collina still remains one of the most famous ex-referees in football today.
Collina, who celebrates his 57th birthday today, wasn’t recognisable just because he’s bald but the fact that he won admiration from fans, coaches and even players for his actions on the pitch. During his teenage years, he had played as a central defender before taking up a refereeing course.
Within three years the Italian was officiating in the top-flight and that was just the start. He was named FIFA’s Best Referee of the Year six times and officiated in the finals of the 1999 UEFA Champions League, 2002 World Cup and 2004 UEFA Cup.
Having taken charge of his last international match in 2006, he is still involved in football, and is now on the UEFA Referees’ Committee.
Other sports stars born on this day
1979: Rafael Marquez, former Barcelona defender, who now plays for Atlas in his native Mexico (38).
1981: Luisao, a footballer who represents Benfica and Brazil national team (36).
1982: Michael Turner, ex-NFL running back, who played for the San Diego Chargers and Atlanta Falcons (35).
1986: Jamie Murray, three-time tennis grand slam doubles champion and brother of Andy (31).