Andrea Belotti
The rooster who crowed for Torino and left as their joint-fifth-highest goalscorer of all time.
via Wikipedia: Andrea Belotti · see source
Andrea Belotti (Italian pronunciation: [anˈdrɛːa beˈlɔtti]; born 20 December 1993) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a striker. He joined Torino in 2015 and left the club in 2022 as their joint-fifth-highest goalscorer of all time. A former Italy under-19, under-20 and under-21 international, Belotti made his debut with the senior national team in 2016 and was included in the Italy squad that won UEFA Euro 2020. At Torino, he was appointed team captain on a permanent basis and became known for his prolific scoring, including a hat-trick in seven minutes and 15 seconds against Palermo in March 2017, the fastest in Serie A since January 2000.
- Full name
- Andrea Belotti
- Nickname
- Il Gallo
- Position
- Striker
- Affiliation
- Torino FC (2015–2022)
- Key era at Torino
- 2015–2022
- Role at club
- Starting striker, captain, joint-fifth-highest goalscorer of all time
- Status
- Former Torino player (departed 2022)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Belotti began his Torino career on 18 August 2015, signed for a reported fee of €7.5 million. He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win against Bologna. On 16 January 2016, he scored his first brace for Torino in a 4–2 win over Frosinone. He concluded the 2015–16 season with 12 goals in 35 appearances. The 2016–17 season saw him score his first career hat-trick on 5 March 2017 against Palermo. On 4 December 2016, he extended his contract with Torino until 2021, with a €100 million release clause valid only to foreign clubs. On 5 March 2017, wearing the captain's armband for the first time against Palermo, he scored the fastest hat-trick in Serie A since 30 January 2000 (seven minutes and 15 seconds), surpassing the previous record belonging to Andriy Shevchenko. He ended the season with 26 goals in 35 appearances, as the third top-scorer in the league. After being appointed team captain on a permanent basis, he scored his first goal of the 2017–18 season with a scissor-kick in a 3–0 win against Sassuolo. On 25 May 2019, he scored the second scissor kick goal of his career, once again against Sassuolo. Belotti concluded the 2018–19 season with 15 goals in Serie A, contributing to Torino's qualification to the 2019–20 UEFA Europa League. On 29 August 2019, Belotti scored with a header against Wolverhampton to record his 77th goal for Torino, entering Torino's top 10 goalscorers list. On 12 December 2020, he scored his 100th goal for Torino in all competitions, equalling Adolfo Baloncieri in the club's all-time scorer list. On 30 October 2021, Belotti scored the final goal in a 3–0 win against Sampdoria, achieving the milestone of 100 goals in Serie A (94 with Torino, 6 with Palermo). On 1 July 2022, Torino announced that Belotti would not extend and leave for free.
In Their Own Story
The floodlights at the Olimpico hummed their low, electric note as the Curva Sud settled into the second half. Torino were trailing, the ball was dead in the centre circle, and the noise was a single sustained roar. Belotti jogged back to his own box, armband tight on his left bicep, and the crowd swelled as though his mere presence were a tactical instruction. A long clearance fell to the edge of the area. He took two touches, squared his shoulders, and the run-up began — arms wide, head dipping, the silent crow. The ball left his laces with a sound like a cracked whip, curled over the keeper's outstretched glove, and nestled into the top corner. For a heartbeat, the stadium was silent. Then the Curva Sud erupted, the chant rolling out in waves: 'GAL-LO! GAL-LO!' Belotti did not run to the corner flag. He stood in the centre of the penalty area, arms still spread, and let the noise wash over him. The rooster had spoken. Torino lived.
Reader's Guide
Andrea Belotti — Striker — Torino FC (2015–2022). Signature moments: (1) Fastest hat-trick in Serie A since 2000, scored in seven minutes and 15 seconds against Palermo on 5 March 2017 while wearing the captain's armband for the first time. (2) Two scissor-kick goals for Torino: first in a 3–0 win against Sassuolo in 2017–18, second against the same opponent on 25 May 2019. (3) Reached 100 goals in Serie A on 30 October 2021, with 94 of those scored for Torino across seven seasons. (4) Left Torino in 2022 as their eighth-highest goalscorer of all time. Why he is granata forever: He scored 100 goals for Torino in all competitions, equalling Adolfo Baloncieri in the club's all-time scorer list, and achieved double figures in Serie A for all six seasons he played with the club.
Did You Know?
- Belotti's nickname 'Il Gallo' (The Rooster) comes from the surname of his close childhood friend, who jokingly suggested he celebrate goals by mimicking a rooster's comb with an open hand to his forehead.
- He scored the fastest hat-trick in Serie A since 30 January 2000, completing it in seven minutes and 15 seconds against Palermo on 5 March 2017.
- Belotti scored his 100th goal for Torino in all competitions on 12 December 2020, equalling Adolfo Baloncieri in the club's all-time scorer list.
- He achieved double figures in Serie A for six of his seven seasons at Torino, from 2015–16 to 2021–22.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Andrea Belotti?
Andrea Belotti is an Italian striker born on 20 December 1993 who spent seven seasons as Torino's primary goal threat from 2015 to 2022. He departed the club as its eighth-highest scorer of all time and had been serving as permanent team captain.
Why is Andrea Belotti called 'Il Gallo'?
'Il Gallo' (The Rooster) is the nickname that followed Belotti throughout his career and became inseparable from his identity at Torino. Fans and media used the rooster image to capture his loud, relentless presence in the penalty area and his role as the club's vocal leader on the pitch.
What was Andrea Belotti's role at Torino FC?
Belotti played as the starting center-forward and was the focal point of Torino's attacking play for his entire seven-year spell. He was also appointed permanent captain, making him both the team's main scoring outlet and its on-field leader.
What is Andrea Belotti's most iconic goal-scoring moment at Torino?
One of the standout highlights of his tenure was a hat-trick scored in just seven minutes and fifteen seconds against Palermo. That extraordinary burst of finishing became a defining memory for the Toro faithful and is still cited as one of his signature displays.
Did Andrea Belotti win a major international trophy with Italy?
Yes, Belotti was included in the Italy squad that won UEFA Euro 2020. He had made his senior national-team debut in 2016 after representing Italy at the under-19, under-20, and under-21 levels.
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