A bronze 1934 World Cup medal presented to the Italian footballer Virginio 'Viri' Rosetta, the obverse signed by the artist D.MANETTI and cast with th

A bronze 1934 World Cup medal presented to the Italian footballer Virginio 'Viri' Rosetta, the obverse signed by the artist D.MANETTI and cast with three footballers in raised relief, the reverse inscribed CAMPIONATO MONDIALE DI CALCIO, F.I.F.A. F.I.G.C., ITALIO, MAGGIO-GIUGNO 1934 XII, VIRGINIO ROSETTA, ITALIA Virginio 'Viri' Rosetta (1902-1975) is still considered to have been one of Italy's greatest defenders and precision passers. Rosetta was born at Vercelli, Piedmont. He began his career as a striker for Pro Vercelli in the Italian First Division, before switching to defence. Pro Vercelli was a major Italian team at this time and Rosetta won two Scudetti in 1921 and 1922. He also made his International debut for Italy at the 1920 Olympics in Antwerp, and played in the next two Games as well winning bronze at Amsterdam in 1928. In 1923 Viri transferred to Juventus, winning his first title in 1926 and becoming an integral part of the team which won five consecutive Scudetti during the 1930s. Only two other players have matched Rosetta's achievement of eight Italian national championships - Giovanni Ferrari and Giuseppe Furino. In recent times Ciro Ferrara would have joined this exclusive club had Juventus not been stripped of the title in season 2004-05. Rosetta won the last of his 52 Italian international caps in the opening game of the 1934 World Cup on home soil v USA. Unfortunately he sustained a broken leg in this match denying him the opportunity of a World Cup winner's medal. He did, however, receive this bronze medal in recognition of his participation in the tournament. It is believed to have been presented to him by Benito Mussolini.