 | FECA Nigeria National Leadership Retreat (NLR) 2026: ADVANCE |
Sports News • Emmanuel Onyemaechi • 13 February, 2026
» Updated 59 minutes ago
Badest Referee of All Time: Pierluigi Collina
122 Views
According to Reece James, he is "the only referee who had the VAR in his eyes. This referee could communicate in 4 languages on the field (French, Spanish, Italian and English). Before each game, he studied the game and the players of the teams he would lead and learned the names of the players. During the 2002 World Cup Final in Japan, Ronaldo gave him his shirt and the ball. The players from Brazil and Germany have congratulated him on his performance. He was ruthless with his cardboard, charismatic and respected. Footballers had huge respect for him and even fear, just by his presence. This is also the only ref who has been on a video game jacket. A true legend."
Chai, I remember when I was a little boy growing up in the city of Port Harcourt, I used to watch matches in our house and this man was always the referee in almost all the matches. I did not know his name back then (somewhere between 2000-2004), but his face was familiar. He was very agile on the pitch, he ran with the ball, and sometimes he even ran faster than some players. He commanded a lot of respect from players and fans and, from what I was seeing in those days on the pitch, you could not mess with the man.
One thing that stood out about Collina was his appearance. His bald head, intense stare, and expressive gestures made him instantly recognizable even to a small child who did not know anything about tactics or formations. Whenever he blew the whistle, everyone listened. When he pointed to the penalty spot, there was hardly any argument because both teams already knew he had seen everything. His body language alone could calm a heated situation or warn a stubborn player without him needing to shout too much.
According to Wikipedia, "Pierluigi Collina is an Italian former football referee. He was named FIFA's 'Best Referee of the Year' six consecutive times and is widely considered to be the best football referee of all time." His career included officiating at the highest levels: World Cup matches, Champions League nights, and top European league games. Many great players—Ronaldo, Zidane, Rivaldo, Figo, and others—played under his watchful eyes, and they all testify to his fairness and consistency.
What made Collina different was not just his strictness, but his preparation. He studied teams, players’ temperaments, and tactical patterns before each game. That is why people say he had "VAR in his eyes" long before technology arrived. He anticipated fouls, read the flow of the game, and positioned himself so well that he rarely obstructed play, yet was always close enough to make accurate decisions.
For many football lovers, including me as a young boy in Port Harcourt, Pierluigi Collina became part of the football experience itself. You did not only watch the stars scoring goals; you also watched this unforgettable referee controlling the match with authority and grace. Truly, if you do not know Pierluigi Collina, you do not really know football.
Recently Viewed Posts
Most Read Posts
Latest Updates
FECA Nigeria Dress Code: How to Dress as a Leader
- March 12, 2026
Who is a Prince in FECA Nsukka?
- March 12, 2026FECA Abuja Zone: 20 Years in 2020
- March 12, 2026
FECA: Federation of Colleges` Ex-Students` Christian Association
- March 12, 2026
Key Features of FECA Prays in Nigeria
- March 11, 2026My FECA Experience, by Blessing Oyedele
- March 11, 2026Recent Events and Flyers
2 weeks ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
2 months ago
Video