Valerio Idilio Cei, better known as Idilio, was born in Larciano, near Pistoia, on June 8, 1937.
After playing in the youth team of Monsummanese near his home town, Cei signed for Foligno in 1953-54 but in the subsequent season they loaned him to Gualdo. In 1955-56 he was back at Foligno only to go again after a year on loan to Montecatini. He finally became the first choice goalkeeper in 1957.
There were a couple of former Lazio players at Foligno, Zeffiro Furiassi and Alberto Fontanesi, and the manager, Romolo Alzani, had been one of the pillars of Lazio in the past. Alzani noticed how good his keeper was and let his former club know. Lazio signed Cei with the idea of keeping him for the number 12 spot behind Bob Lovati, to allow him to acquire experience.
It would take Cei a few years to consolidate his presence in the Lazio squad. In 1958 he played a few games in Coppa Italia and 8 in Serie A. In 1959 it looked as if he had secured the number one spot since he played a lot more than Lovati but the following year he was third in the goalkeeper hierarchy behind Franco Pezzullo and Lovati.
After the disastrous 1960-61 season which saw Lazio go down to Serie B, Cei became one of the most important Biancoceleste players. Many clubs had set eyes on him but the club, despite the financial difficulties, refused all offers. Cei would go on to play 169 games in Serie A, 99 in Serie B, 19 in Coppa Italia 4 in Mitropa Cup and 2 in the Cup of the Alps over ten seasons and follow in the footsteps of Lazio’s legendary goalkeepers Ezio Sclavi, Uber Gradella, Lucidio Sentimenti IV and Lovati.
Cei was a big man, 1.81 in height and 91 kilos in weight, but he was agile, had a great sense of position, and was physically very strong and powerful. He was one of those goalkeepers who was even able to save the impossible. Similar to Angelo Peruzzi if a comparison can be made.
After leaving Lazio he signed for Palermo in 1968 and stayed there for two years before finishing his career with Larcianese.
Once he stopped playing he started a managerial career. He was head coach for quite a number of minor league teams.
In 1981 he lost his son, 17 years of age, following a motorcycle accident.
He died in Larciano on March 24, 1996.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances | Serie A | Serie B | Coppa Italia | Mitropa Cup | Cup of the Alps |
1957-58 | 2 | - | - | 2 | - | |
1958-59 | 9 | 8 | - | 1 | - | |
1959-60 | 26 | 25 | - | 1 | - | |
1960-61 | 17 | 13 | - | 3 | - | 2 |
1961-62 | 41 | - | 38 | 3 | - | |
1962-63 | 39 | - | 38 | 1 | - | |
1963-64 | 32 | 32 | - | - | - | |
1964-65 | 33 | 31 | - | 2 | - | |
1965-66 | 33 | 30 | - | 3 | - | |
1966-67 | 37 | 31 | - | 2 | 4 | |
1967-68 | 24 | - | 23 | 1 | - | |
Total | 293 | 169 | 99 | 19 | 4 | 2 |
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