Francesco Flachi, a well-known name in football circles, opens up about his life in a new podcast, "Vita Rovesciata - Ascesa e Caduta di un Calciatore del Popolo." The eight-part podcast, written in collaboration with Matteo Politanò and produced by OnePodcast, reveals the player's emotional journey, available on all major audio streaming platforms from March 12.
Born in Florence in the late 80s, Flachi was already destined to become a football icon. Growing up with a ball at his feet for local club Isolotto, he dreamed of emulating his Fiorentina idols, like Giancarlo Antognoni and Roberto Baggio. His aspiration was to wear the number 10 jersey, reserved for playmakers who create magic on the pitch. Known for his ability to execute spectacular overhead kicks, Flachi earned a reputation as one of the brightest talents in 90s football.
Flachi's rise to prominence reached its peak at Sampdoria, where he became the team's third-highest scorer of all time after Vialli and Mancini, with 110 goals.
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In 2007, a ban for cocaine use radically changed Flachi's life. The crazy technical feat that had characterized his career on the pitch became a metaphor for his life off it. In "Vita Rovesciata," the footballer openly shares his descent into obscurity, recounting how the loss of everything he had achieved drove him to seek redemption.
"The Sampdoria fans - says Flachi - I will thank them all my life. They gave me the strength to keep going and get back on my feet when the football world had turned its back on me. Paradoxically, when the newspapers were attacking me, I understood what it means to be a true idol. When you bring joy to people, they never forget you."
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