Hero, drug dealer, or traitor: the Lazio player who disappeared without a trace.

"He's not dead. He's alive. He has no unfinished business with the law, he's not a fugitive. He hasn't fled abroad. He's in Rome. He lives near where he grew up. He returned when the statute of limitations had expired and almost everyone had forgotten about him. 40 years is a long time for any victory, any defeat, and any scandal." This is how Guy Chiappaventi describes it in 'The Disappearance of the Militant Footballer,' the novel in which he reconstructs the incredible story of Maurizio Montesi.

In the following podcast, we go back to Italy in 1979. To the years of lead. Years of attacks by far-right and far-left paramilitary groups. Years of intense political tension, institutional crisis, and a football that was beginning to become a business. In the midst of all that turmoil, this atypical, contradictory, and tormented footballer emerged, moving outside the established script for those of the time. A strong midfielder, who spoke like a trade unionist, wrote for left-wing newspapers, and had to survive in a Lazio locker room dominated by far-right players.

Although he's practically forgotten today, Montesi uncovered the biggest scandal in Italian football. Later, he became embroiled in much shadier dealings, until he disappeared forever without a trace. An unusual life that Toni Padilla, sports historian and journalist, founder of the magazine 'Panenka' and author of 'Mala Piel' (Libros del KO, 2024), helps us recount.

All episodes of "We Are in History" can be found on major audio platforms, including Spotify , Ivoox , Apple Podcasts , Amazon Music, and Podimo . They're also available on YouTube . The next episode will be available in 15 days.