A ntonio Percassi is a self-made Italian billionaire with a diverse and successful career spanning professional sports, retail, and real estate. His journey began as a professional football player, playing as a defender for his hometown club, Atalanta, in Italy's Serie A. After retiring from football at a young age, he embarked on an entrepreneurial career that would prove to be even more successful.

He founded the Percassi Group, a conglomerate with a wide range of interests. He became a key partner for the Benetton family, opening stores for them in Italy. His major breakthrough in retail came with the founding of Kiko Milano, a fast-fashion cosmetics brand that became a massive international success with thousands of stores worldwide. Percassi Group also manages the development of major brands in Italy, including Starbucks and Victoria's Secret, and has a significant real estate portfolio. In a return to his roots, he became the owner of the Atalanta football club, leading it to an unprecedented period of success.