On 16 October 1983, the Olympic stadium in Rome was filled with 40,000 fans to watch the last match of Giorgio Chinaglia, Lazio icon and former center forward of the New York team, the Cosmos. The event, celebrated with great enthusiasm, was called "Chinaglia Day" and saw the participation of numerous star players, including Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Neeskens, Dario D'Amico, Carlos Alberto and Michael Laudrup.
The match was a friendly match between Lazio, of which Chinaglia had become president on 13 July, and the Cosmos, the club with which he had played for nine years until September 1983. On the pitch, Lazio had the opportunity to show exceptional team unity: Ielpo, Miele, Piscedda, Manfredonia, Batista, Vinazzani, Cupini, D'Amico, Meluso, Laudrup and Piraccini. The Cosmos, led by coach Mazzei, presented a high-level lineup with Birkenmeier, Carlos Alberto, Beckenbauer, Rijsbergen, Eskandarian, Neeskens, Fox, Romero, Chinaglia, Bogicevic and Cabanas.
The final result was 3-1 in favor of Lazio. The opening goal was scored in the second minute by Michael Laudrup, followed by another from him in the 52nd minute. The second goal of the Roma team was scored by Antonio Romero in the 26th minute, while the third was the last from Chinaglia, who concluded his journey with a goal in the 76th minute. The Cosmos responded with a goal from Ielpo in the 81st minute.
During the match, Chinaglia had the opportunity to wear two different shirts: he started with the Cosmos one and then moved to the Biancoceleste for the second half, symbolizing his return to the team he had led in the past. The match was a tribute to Chinaglia's career, which left an indelible mark both in Italy and in the United States, and represented an opportunity for two worlds of football to meet.
With the conclusion of this match, Lazio prepares to continue their season with the hope of consolidating their position in the league table, while the Cosmos, after showing a high level of play, will continue to work to improve their form in view of the next matches. The day remains in the fans' memory as a moment of celebration and celebration of a great champion of world football.