Alessandro Buongiorno, defender for Napoli and the Italian national team, shared his growth path in a recent interview with Vivo Azzurro TV, the FIGC's OTT platform. “It's a very high point in my career, representing the blue jersey is an honour and an honor,” Buongiorno said, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to wear the colors of Italy. The young defender talked about his footballing origins, revealing a curious anecdote: “At six years old my first experience was in goal, but my mother was afraid I would catch cold.
So I started playing defense and never stopped.” Since then, his career has followed an upward path, culminating with the transfer to Napoli and the call-up to the national team. Despite his talent and dedication to football, Buongiorno has never put aside his studies.
A graduate in Business Economics, with a Master's in Sports Management, he explained how education played a key role in his development, even on the field: “I have always believed that studying opens your mind and helps you both in life and in football. In high school I sometimes studied until three in the morning and in the morning I arrived at school half an hour early to be tested, because in the afternoon I had to train.”
Buongiorno then shared a particularly emotional moment in his life: “I’ve always made sticker albums.
When I found my sticker and stuck it on, it was a great feeling. As a child, I saw the players on the album as heroes, I hoped to get there too one day.”
The summer move to Napoli under the guidance of Antonio Tale marked a new chapter in the career of the defender, who has already carved out a prominent role for himself in the Neapolitan team.
Buongiorno has also made his mark with the national team, contributing to the successes in the Nations League with France and Israel. His debut for the Azzurri took place on 18 June 2023, in the third-place match against the Netherlands.
“I was on holiday in Spain when I received the call-up. It was an indescribable feeling to find myself in the starting eleven,” he recalled with enthusiasm.
The relationship with the former national team coach, Roberto Mancini, and the current coach Luciano Spalletti, was crucial to his growth. “I have a great relationship with Mister Spalletti, we talk often. He is a person who makes you grow a lot, not only technically, but also humanly,” Buongiorno said, demonstrating his desire to improve further.
Article published on 25 September 2024 - 12:45
