Luciano Vassalo

ABOUT LUCIANO VASSALO

Most-capped international footballer in the history of Ethiopia; he is widely regarded as one of Ethiopia's greatest athletes.

He was the first Ethiopian to be named player of the tournament for the 1962 African Cup of Nations, a trophy that was given to him by the Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I.

He briefly coached after retirement for the Dire Dawa Cotton FC.

He and his brother, Italo, both participated in the 1962 African Cup of Nations, winning Ethiopia its first trophy at these competitions; he also played with Italo for Saint-George SA.

He and fellow Ethiopian Mengistu Worku were the only Ethiopians named to CAF's 2006 list of the previous 50 years' greatest African footballers, a list on which Roger Milla was selected for the top spot.