That roar in heaven

RIVA
Now, perhaps, they will hear that “roll of thunder”, as Gianni Brera defined it, in heaven. Gigi Riva has passed away at the age of 79: the best Italian striker of the post-war period, with 35 goals in 42 games. Beyond the technical aspect, we will always remember the affection he had for Sardinia, the land he did not want to leave, despite the attractive offers from northern clubs. An umbilical cord that has never broken, until the end.
TIED

ARABIA
Last summer, Saudi Arabia launched the most arrogant of strategies, taking plenty of champions from Europe: from Ronaldo to Benzema, from Koulibaly to Brozovic, from Milinkovic Savic to Neymar. From the players we moved on to the competitions: from the Super Cups to the World Cup. Sport should raise its voice when choosing countries where citizens' civil rights are very questionable, as recently in Qatar.
ARROGANT

GIACOMINI
On 7 October 2023, the beginning of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Alberto Giacomini was on the outskirts of Ramallah for the annual training camp with around a hundred small players and 50 Palestinian coaches. The war broke out, and after 2 days the return to Milan took place. Alberto has been frequenting those places since 2004, he has already managed, by chasing a ball, to bring together Israelis and Palestinians, but prejudices, unfortunately, continue to hinder him.
PACIFIST

CRISAFULLI
In Seregno, a football brawl cost a referee a kidney and, from that moment on, nothing was the same as before. In fact, the school for sports parents was born, thanks to the agreement between the Municipality and ASD Divertisport, founded by the journalist Alessandro Crisafulli. The success of the initiative is demonstrated by its diffusion in Caltagirone, Varese, Paderno Dugnano, Taranto, Muggiò, Alessandria, Rome and Reggio Emilia. Long live the followers.
EDUCATOR

GOGGIA
Recently we underlined the Christian light that illuminates the skier Sofia Goggia. She is a champion who has won everything, but at a very high price. In 2007, cruciate rupture in his right knee. In 2008, meniscus injury. In 2009 and 2020, damage to the knees. In 2012, cruciate rupture in his right knee. That little crucifix, which she wears around her neck, will help her, as always, to fall and get back up, stronger than before.
FIGHTER

BERGOMI
The 1982 world champion Beppe Bergomi spoke about his particular relationship with the oratory. In Settala Don Narciso directed it, and many times he climbed over it, when he was closed, to play football. He was an altar boy for 6 years, and underlines how today's kids, in football schools, play the ball 6 hours a week, while, in his time, they played 6 hours a day. Another world, other values.
EXEMPLARY

SELEX
The first edition of the Selex project has ended, which distributed almost 30 thousand sports equipment in Italy. From 4 September to 19 November, customers of the group's supermarkets contributed to the activities of the registered amateur clubs and associations by shopping. From Baggio to Vezzali, from Stano to Busà, from Ghedina to De Vecchi they were fundamental testimonials, with the story of their beginnings.
DEBUTANTS


Carlo Nesti
www.carlonesti.it
NP March 2024