the inventor of the “bicycle” played with Catanzaro, Pistoiese and Avellino- Corriere.it

The football world is in mourning for the death Of Vito Chimentithe man of the «bicycle», the dribbling with which he lifted the ball with his heel above his head leaping the running defender. A South American football game, full of such shots, who became a small provincial legend thanks to him in the 70s and 80s. Former striker he was 69 years old: he fell ill before the match of Pomarico, the Lucan Eccellenza team of which he was the youth coach, against Real Senise. He was rescued by 118 operators, who tried to revive him without success.

Chimenti was born in Bari in 1953 and had worn the jerseys of Matera, Lecco and Salernitana before exploding in the Palermo in Serie B and play in A with Catanzaro, Pistoiese and Avellino, signing 13 goals in all. The former striker ended his career in 1985 in Puglia, with Taranto, in C.

He is remembered precisely for that South American dribble, who mocked his opponents, the «bicycle». Subsequently, his story in football moved from the field to the bench. He started by joining the staff from Salernitana, Foggia, Messina, Matera, Lanciano, Rimini and Virtus Casarano. He was the uncle of Antonio Chimenti, ex goalkeeper of Salernitana, Rome, Lecce, Juventus and Cagliari.

Vito’s best years were at Palermo, with a historic goal against Juventus in the Italian Cup: «A friend is leaving – said the president Dario Mirri -, a friend of Palermo and a friend of mine. A kind soul that has always represented the love for this shirt. It is no coincidence that a few years ago we wanted to pay homage to him with a work of art at the Palermo Museum. He will always remain with us, like the memory of his bicycle, now part of history ».

After Palermo’s victory at Ascoli (1-2), coach Eugenio Corini and forward Brunoriauthor of the decisive brace, have dedicated the success to him.