Pierluigi Collina Bio: Age, Wife, Children, Net Worth, Hair, FIFA, Eyes, Last Match, Retirement, Disease

Biography

Pierluigi Collina is a legendary figure in football, widely regarded as one of the greatest referees in the sport’s history. Born on February 13, 1960, in Bologna, Italy, Collina became instantly recognizable on the field due to his distinctive bald head and intense focus.

His international refereeing career, which spanned from 1995 to 2004, saw him officiate some of the sport’s most prestigious matches, including the UEFA Champions League Finals in 1999 and 2002, as well as the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final between Brazil and Germany.

Known for his strict fitness regimen, deep knowledge of the game’s rules, and commanding presence, Collina earned widespread respect from players and coaches alike.

After retiring from active refereeing, he remained influential in football as a member of UEFA’s Refereeing Committee and, through ambassadorial roles, advocating for fair play and the integrity of the game.

Italian former association football referee

Pierluigi Collina
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Pierluigi Collina
Born:	13 February 1960 (age 64 years old)
Place of Birth:	Bologna, Italy
Nationality:	Italian
Education:	University of BolognaA
Height:	1.80 m
Parents:	Elia Collina, Luciana Collina
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Gianna Collina
Girlfriend • Partner:	N/A
Children:	2
Occupation:	Referee
Net Worth:	$4 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Pierluigi Collina was born on February 13, 1960, in Bologna, Italy, to Elia and Luciana Collina. As an only child, he developed an early passion for football, initially playing as a center-back for a local Bologna team. In 1977, encouraged by a friend, he transitioned to refereeing, where his natural ability to manage the game and maintain order quickly became evident.

Collina pursued his education at the University of Bologna, earning a degree in economics in 1984. This accomplishment reflected his dedication to both intellectual and physical disciplines, qualities that would shape his distinguished career in refereeing.

As a referee, Collina officiated some of football’s most prestigious matches, including the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final and the 2002 FIFA World Cup Final. His bald head and intense stare made him easily recognizable, but his exceptional understanding of the game and unwavering commitment to fairness won him global respect.

After retiring in 2005, Collina remained deeply involved in football. He contributed as a consultant to the Italian Football Referees Association, served as Head of Referees for the Football Federation of Ukraine, and worked with UEFA’s Referees Committee. Notably, he played a key role in implementing the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, further cementing his legacy in advancing the sport’s integrity.

Career

Pierluigi Collina began his refereeing career in 1977, officiating local league matches in Bologna. His rise was rapid, and by the late 1980s and early 1990s, he was refereeing in Serie A, Italy’s premier football league. Renowned for his fitness, deep understanding of the game, and commanding presence on the pitch, Collina quickly gained a stellar reputation.

In 1995, he became a FIFA referee, marking the start of his international career. He officiated a semifinal at Euro 1996, setting the stage for even more high-profile assignments. One of the highlights of his career came in the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final between Bayern Munich and Manchester United, where his bold decision to send off David Beckham demonstrated his ability to make tough calls under immense pressure.

Collina’s most celebrated moment came during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he officiated the final between Brazil and Germany. His flawless performance in this high-stakes match solidified his legacy as one of the greatest referees in football history.

Collina remained active in the sport after retiring in 2005 at the height of his career. He took on various roles, including serving as an unpaid consultant for the Italian Football Referees Association, becoming the Head of Referees for the Football Federation of Ukraine, and playing a key role on UEFA’s Referees Committee.

A major part of his lasting influence on football has been his involvement in the development and implementation of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which aims to improve decision-making accuracy on the field.

Collina has received numerous accolades throughout his career and beyond, including the prestigious Golden Whistle Award in 2005 from the International Federation of Football History & Statistics. His inclusion in Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people in the world further highlighted his far-reaching impact in football and on the global stage.

Social Media

• Instagram: Pierluigi Collina (@collinaofficial)
• IMDb: Pierluigi Collina

Personal Life

Pierluigi Collina, the famous Italian football referee, is married to Gianna Collina. While details about their relationship and how they met are not widely shared, Gianna has been mentioned in relation to Collina’s life outside of football, offering a glimpse into his personal side.

The couple has two children, though Collina has kept their family life private, consistent with his approach to shielding personal matters from the public eye.

Collina stands at around 1.80 meters tall. His height and bald head (a result of alopecia) contributed to his striking and instantly recognizable presence on the football field.

Disease

Pierluigi Collina‘s distinctive physical appearance, particularly his eyes, has often been a topic of curiosity. Many attribute this unique look to a condition called keratoconus, which is not widely detailed in public records or his personal statements but is sometimes associated with his case.

Keratoconus is a condition where the cornea thins and gradually bulges outward into a cone shape. This can lead to significant vision impairment due to the cornea’s natural dome shape distortion. While Collina has never explicitly confirmed keratoconus as his diagnosis, his eye condition has been speculated upon due to his distinctive gaze, which might suggest a corneal irregularity.

Regarding eye disease, while direct information linking Collina to a specific eye disease beyond potential keratoconus isn’t explicitly documented in widely accessible sources, his overall health, mainly related to his eyes, has occasionally been a subject of interest given his public figure status.

Net Worth

Pierluigi Collina, the esteemed Italian football referee, has accumulated an estimated net worth of $4 million. This fortune largely comes from his illustrious career officiating some of the most high-profile matches in football, including the UEFA Champions League and FIFA World Cup finals. In his later years, his international refereeing fees reached as high as $700,000 annually, a reflection of his expertise and the demand for his presence on the pitch.

In addition to his earnings from refereeing, Collina has remained active in football governance. His roles as Head of Referees for the Football Federation of Ukraine and contributions to UEFA and FIFA’s refereeing committees likely provided further financial rewards, though the specifics of these compensation packages are not publicly available.

Collina‘s financial success also extends to the commercial sphere. He secured endorsement deals, including a notable partnership with Opel, which sparked controversy due to potential conflicts of interest. However, this deal highlighted his marketability and continued influence in the sport, particularly with innovations like the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, suggesting additional revenue streams through his enduring presence in football.