1. Overview
Andrea Carnevale's football career was marked by significant club success, particularly with Napoli, where he formed a formidable attacking partnership with Diego Maradona and Careca, contributing to multiple Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup. He also represented the Italian national team at the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1990 FIFA World Cup. Despite his on-field achievements, his career was significantly impacted by a one-year suspension for illegal drug use during his time at Roma, a controversy that cast a shadow over his later playing years.
2. Early Life and Background
Andrea Carnevale was born on 12 January 1961, in Monte San Biagio, Lazio, to Gaetano and Filomena Carnevale. He was one of seven children. During his childhood, he learned the trade of a carpenter in Monte San Biagio to help support his family financially. He developed his football skills playing with his brothers, Enzo and Germano, on an improvised field. His talent was eventually spotted by nearby Latina Calcio 1932, a club where his future colleague Alessandro Altobelli had also played.
3. Club Career
Andrea Carnevale's professional club career saw him progress through various Italian leagues, achieving his greatest successes with Napoli before a significant controversy affected his later years.
3.1. Early Career
Carnevale began his professional football career in 1978 with Latina in Serie C. Following his stint there, he played for several other Italian clubs, including US Avellino from 1979 to 1981, AC Reggiana from 1981 to 1983, and then briefly for Cagliari Calcio and Calcio Catania during the 1983-1984 season. In 1984, he made a significant move to Udinese in Serie A. His performances at Udinese, where he played until 1986, earned him considerable recognition and attracted the attention of major Italian clubs such as Juventus, AC Milan, and AS Roma.
3.2. Napoli Period
In 1986, Carnevale joined Napoli, where he enjoyed the most successful period of his career, playing until 1990. At Napoli, he formed a renowned attacking partnership with legendary players Diego Maradona and Careca. During the 1986-87 season, Carnevale, often deployed as a left winger, played in 42 official matches and scored 12 goals. His contributions were instrumental in Napoli securing their first-ever Serie A championship and also winning the Coppa Italia in the same season. Alongside Maradona and Bruno Giordano, Carnevale was part of the famous "Ma-Gi-Ca" trio, a moniker derived from the first two letters of their surnames, signifying their magical impact on the team.
The 1987-88 season saw a reduction in Carnevale's playing time, leading to some friction with the coach. However, with Giordano's departure, Carnevale regained his regular starting position in the 1988-89 season, partnering effectively with Careca. In this season, he enjoyed a prolific spell, scoring 20 goals in 46 official matches. He continued to play a crucial role in the 1989-90 season, where he scored 8 goals in 31 league appearances, helping Napoli secure their second Serie A title. During his tenure at Napoli, he also contributed to the club's UEFA Cup victory in the 1988-89 season.
3.3. Transfer to Roma and Suspension
Following his successful period at Napoli, Carnevale transferred to AS Roma in 1990. He started his career at the capital club strongly, scoring four goals in his first five matches. However, his promising start was abruptly halted when he, along with teammate and goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi, tested positive for illegal drug use after a match against Bari on 8 October 1990. This doping violation resulted in a one-year suspension from professional football. The suspension significantly impacted his career, and upon his return, he was unable to replicate his previous form. He spent two more years in Rome, eventually leaving the club after the 1992-93 season.
3.4. Later Career
After leaving AS Roma, Andrea Carnevale continued his career in Serie B. He had multiple spells with Pescara and Udinese. Specifically, he played for Udinese Calcio during the 1993-1994 season, and for Delfino Pescara 1936 also in the 1993-1994 season. He then returned to Udinese Calcio for the 1994-1995 season, and concluded his playing career with Pescara Calcio in the 1995-1996 season. He retired from professional football at the age of 35.
4. International Career
Andrea Carnevale represented Italy at both youth and senior international levels, participating in major tournaments.
4.1. 1988 Summer Olympics
Carnevale was part of the Italian national team that competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He played in all of Italy's matches during the tournament, scoring two goals. The Italian team performed strongly, reaching the semi-finals, but ultimately finished in fourth place after losing the bronze medal match.
4.2. Senior National Team
Carnevale made his debut for the senior Italian national team on 22 April 1989, in a 1-1 friendly draw against Uruguay in Verona. He earned a total of 10 caps and scored two goals for his country between 1989 and 1990. His first international goal came on 26 April 1989, in a 4-0 victory against Hungary in Taranto. He scored his second goal later that year, on 20 September, during another 4-0 friendly win, this time against Bulgaria in Cesena.
He was included in Italy's squad for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, which was hosted on home soil. Carnevale was a regular starter in the pre-tournament friendly matches and appeared in Italy's first two group stage matches of the World Cup. In Italy's opening game against Austria, he was substituted by Salvatore Schillaci, who scored just two minutes later. Carnevale started the subsequent match against the United States but was once again replaced by Schillaci after failing to score. This match against the United States proved to be his final appearance for the national team, as he was no longer called up following the tournament. Italy ultimately finished in third place at the 1990 World Cup.
5. Honours
Andrea Carnevale achieved significant team honours during his club career with Napoli and also earned an international accolade with the Italian national team.
5.1. Club Honours
Napoli
- Serie A: 1986-87, 1989-90
- Coppa Italia: 1986-87
- UEFA Cup: 1988-89
5.2. International Honours
Italy
- FIFA World Cup third place: 1990
5.3. Orders
- 5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 1991
6. Assessment and Controversies
Andrea Carnevale's career is remembered for both his notable achievements on the field and a significant off-field controversy that impacted his trajectory.
6.1. Assessment of Achievements
Carnevale is primarily celebrated for his integral role in the most successful period of Napoli's history. His time with the club, particularly his partnership with Diego Maradona and Careca, was marked by prolific goal-scoring and crucial contributions to Napoli's two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia, and a UEFA Cup. As a versatile forward, capable of playing as a striker or a left winger, his ability to score and create opportunities was vital to the team's attacking prowess. His performances during this era solidified his place as a key figure in Napoli's golden generation.
6.2. Doping-Related Controversies
The most significant controversy in Andrea Carnevale's career was his one-year suspension for illegal drug use. This incident occurred on 8 October 1990, during his tenure with AS Roma, when he and teammate Angelo Peruzzi tested positive after a match against Bari. The disciplinary action resulted in a lengthy ban from playing, which severely disrupted his career momentum. Upon his return, Carnevale struggled to regain his previous form and impact on the pitch. This doping violation not only affected his performance and subsequent club transfers but also had a lasting impact on his public perception, overshadowing some of his earlier achievements.