Christian Vieri, commonly known as Bobo Vieri, is an Italian former centre forward celebrated for his power, aerial ability and prolific scoring. Born in Bologna on 12 July 1973, he spent part of his childhood in Australia before returning to Italy to pursue a professional career that would make him one of the most feared strikers of his generation. For collectors, Vieri's match-worn shirts and authenticated autographs carry direct links to defining moments of modern Italian football and are frequently sought after on specialist platforms such as Walkouts.
Vieri began his senior pathway in Australia with Marconi Stallions before moving back to Italy, where early stops included Santa Lucia and Prato. He made his Torino first-team debut in the Coppa Italia on 30 October 1991 and his Serie A bow later that season. After formative seasons in Serie B with Pisa, Ravenna and Venezia, his return to the top flight with Atalanta paved the way for a high-profile move to Juventus.
That move to Juventus led to continental exposure and a transfer to Atlético Madrid, where he won the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga's top scorer in 1997-98. A short but successful spell at Lazio brought a winners medal in the final edition of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup on 19 May 1999. Later that year he became the world's most expensive signing when Inter Milan paid a then-record fee, and he produced his most consistent seasons there, including finishing as Serie A top scorer, the Capocannoniere, in 2002-03.
Across his club career Vieri combined individual awards with team honours, including a Serie A title with Juventus in 1996-97 and domestic cup success with Inter in 2004-05. Internationally he scored 23 goals in 49 appearances for Italy, and his tally of 9 World Cup goals from the 1998 and 2002 tournaments makes him Italy's joint-highest World Cup scorer alongside Roberto Baggio and Paolo Rossi. He was also named among the FIFA 100 in March 2004, a list selected by Pelé to mark FIFA's centenary.
For collectors, provenance and condition are paramount. Items linked to Vieri's peak seasons, his World Cup matches, and cup finals carry strong narrative value. Authentic features to look for include match identifiers, authenticated signatures and documented chain of custody. Memorabilia such as a signed shirt from a notable fixture, a programme from a Cup Winners' Cup final, or an authenticated autograph that ties directly to a confirmed match appearance are the kinds of pieces that appeal to serious collectors of football merchandise and memorabilia.
Vieri retired from professional football on 20 October 2009, leaving a legacy as a physical, instinctive striker whose goals and moments are preserved in memorabilia and authenticated collectibles. His achievements on the pitch continue to create provenance-rich stories for fans and collectors, and platforms that specialise in authenticated football merchandise keep his on-field moments alive for new audiences and seasoned collectors alike. Walkouts remains a trusted destination to explore authenticated Vieri pieces, bringing provenance and passion together for every collector.
