MILAN – This time Rivera can wait. Reaching the milestone of 70 years first is Giovanni Lodetti. Today is the birthday of a relaxed man who when he was a player won a lot in his career and also had to overcome prejudices and bad luck – in Mexico ’70, before squads of 23 players were allowed, it was he who had to stay home.   
Now he adores his family, the sea of Moneglia and Milan. Opinionist on Milan Channel for 13 years, he would ask every year if he would be invited back. And year and year, because he is ‘Il Basletta’ (‘The Chin’ in Milanese dialect), he was in his place in the studio. 
As a player he understood the importance of following an athlete’s lifestyle, and maintained the highest respect for Nereo Rocco, still today calling the legendary coach Mr Rocco. Giovanni Lodetti has always pushed the importance of developing the youth sector in top teams, and even though he should place 70 candles on his cake, he can make do with seven, one for every decade, because he is still young at heart.