With today’s guest we can truly speak the same language both in a practical and figurative sense; many things in common despite a very different past.

Michele Paolucci, after a brilliant Italian career and abroad experiences in Romania and Malta, is now in the state of Manitoba, Canada, where during the last season he played for Valor FC, the football team of the city of Winnipeg.

So let’s go back to a country we know well to tell new feats and to update ourselves on all the news and what’s going on in this period.

“The health situation here is under control, there are only 300 cases across the state: maybe because of the cold, maybe because of the low population density and last, but not least, the great civic sense of the people. The climate is far from spring but in these days I have nevertheless experienced moments that warmed my heart”.

Tell us everything

“My consensual termination with Valour FC is very recent news, a decision made by both sides in a positive way… The club understood me and let me go. I greeted everyone in a good way, and the fans left many signs of esteem on my official social network pages… It was an intense and in some ways historic year. I was the first Italian to score in this new championship! In fact, I scored in my debut against Pacific FC, this too is a record that I will take with me forever”.

Valour FC is a Canadian football club based in Winnipeg, the capital and most populous city in the Canadian state of Manitoba, where over half the population of the area lives. Located to the east of the Canadian prairie region, Winnipeg plays an important role in the field of transportation as it is a fundamental junction of highway and rail traffic between east and west of Canada, and for this reason it’s called the “Gateway to the West”.

Why this decision?

“I’m working on another project, also this one in North America, almost everything was ready but this pandemic delayed the schedule a bit; I still can’t anticipate anything because I’m waiting for it to be official… What I can say is that in this new adventure I’ll play a double role; clearly one will be that of the footballer!”.

THE QUOTE

…”Here in Canada I found so many people who made me feel at home, many emigrants with incredible stories made of sacrifices, which made me taste the genuine Italy of a few decades ago…!”.

An important choice for you

“I think that in life one must always look ahead and plan for the future; I’m 34 years old, I’m physically well and I love to play like the first day, but at the same time I like to think about the aftermath and start laying the foundations. There are many colleagues who never think about post-football life, many in fact think only about appearances and lose themselves as soon as they stop playing and sometimes end up badly. Instead, I believe that you must always be in motion, like when you wait for a ball in the penalty area, to make yourself ready for the right appointment… There are trains to catch when they pass”.

What can you tell us looking at your Italian career

“Between what you have done and what you could have been done I think the truth is in the middle: I’m proud of what I have been able to do, because I have been honest, precise and I have always said things in the face… nobody knows and will never know my true story, because I don’t think it matters and above all I think it’s wrong to blame the others. You just have to treasure the mistakes made to improve your future and maybe get everything back with interests”.

What are the best moments of your career start?

“If I think about my path, the first good memory dates back to the days of football school in my hometown of Civitanova Marche; a carefree period with many friends with whom I’m still in touch today, years later. Unforgettable then the Primavera Scudetto with Juventus: I scored the decisive goal against Fiorentina which allowed us to win and crown a cycle of 6 years spent in black and white jersey. Another step that has marked my football life is clearly the first goal in Serie A, in front of my family and friends, in my region, I scored with the Ascoli jersey against Chievo“.

Other memories impressed in your mind?

“My bond with the city of Catania and Calcio Catania is no secret; it’s my only true great football love and for this reason I’m proud to have contributed, scoring the fourth goal, to write an important page of history, going to win in Palermo 4-0… I immediately realized the achievement and the joy that we had given to the whole city. The last moment I would underline is current history: the goal scored at the debut here on Canadian soil, in the first championship of this country”.

The footballer you value most and you played with

“By far the greatest of all is Giorgio Chiellini: a champion, a sweet guy and a man of great human and cultural depth. When you have these qualities you acquire others, such as humility and respect, that come as a consequence of your being”.

What differences did you find in the countries where you played?

“I have played in Italy, Romania and Malta and I believe that the difference in living and reading football is not that big between these countries, let’s say they all have a European mentality. I experienced a clear and huge contrast coming to Canada! Here the game is a show in all the aspects! Each game is organized in detail as a unique event and experienced with great participation: it doesn’t matter if you play the final or against the last in the standings because the atmosphere is the same, football here is business from all points of view”.

Which have been the key figures in your career?

“In this carousel which is football I have known many people but those who have changed me, which I want to mention, are basically four, starting from my first steps in this world: Andreji Zukowky, a great instructor who raised me and gave me so much in the Vis Civitanova football school days; Maurizio Schincaglia, on the other hand, was the coach who really made me make the quantum leap in the youth sector of Juventus, from the Allievi Nazionali to Beretti. Once I arrived in the first team, the person who most believed in me and influenced my career was Nedo Sonetti, who arrived in Ascoli during the championship, took me off the bench, throwing me in the fray and giving me full confidence… I will always be grateful to him. A special mention for Alessio Piscini: a lawyer from Florence who collaborates with the AIC… I met him at the time of the bankruptcy of Siena, a good person, honest and for whom I have great esteem!”.

Getting back to the present and the future, tell us your point of view

“I believe that here in Canada and in North America in general, there are great margins for football growth and that the future is here! The difference between this country and Italy lies in the fact that football is business here and there is more money, while in Italy there is more passion, even if the people who believe in it and invest are decreasing. At 34 I have the maturity and intelligence necessary to understand which direction to take in my life, I’m married and I have responsibilities, I want to continue playing but at the same time I also think about tomorrow. As my character is, I don’t see myself in Italy, I’ve never been good at cozying up to someone in order to work and I don’t want to do it now; I met many good people but also others who for 1000€ stopped answering the phone… Here in Canada I found so many people who made me feel at home, many emigrants with incredible stories made of sacrifices, which made me taste the genuine Italy of a few decades ago. I therefore believe that my 18 years of experience and the passion I’ve always put for this sport, combined with the organizational and economic efficiency of the Canadians, can be a successful mix to be able to do great things!”.

One last curiosity… Were you also the PES testimonial?

“They selected me as the face and testimonial for the Pro Evolution Soccer Canada football video game, and I was included in the official trailer of the 2020 season, and for me this is another little satisfaction that doesn’t happen to all players!!!”.

Now that we know Michele better we’ll definitely support him and his new projects, with the hope of meeting him soon and toasting together with new successes, maybe not only on the field, but also in another role that we’ll discover in the near future!

Good luck!

Follow Michele on his account:

Instagram > @michele_paolucci_9

traslate by Matteo Santuari – Socceroad press staff

MICHELE PAOLUCCI’S COORDINATES:

Michele Paolucci, Recanati, February 6th, 1986, is an Italian striker.

-1 PRIMAVERA CHAMPIONSHIP (JUVENTUS 2005/2006)
• 1 VIAREGGIO TOURNAMENT (JUVENTUS 2005)
• 1 BERETTI CHAMPIONSHIP (JUVENTUS 2003/2004)
• JUVENTUS YOUTH RECORDMAN WITH 184 GOALS
• 95 APPS AND 14 GOALS IN SERIE A
• 24 APPS AND 8 GOALS IN PREMIER LEAGUE MALTA
• 15 APPS AND 3 GOALS IN PREMIER LEAGUE CANADA
• 12 APPS AND 1 GOAL IN LIGA 1 ROMANIA
• 97 APPS AND 18 GOALS IN SERIE B
• 45 APPS AND 10 GOALS IN SERIE C
• 19 APPS and 11 goals in the Italian Cup
• 3 APPS and 4 goals in the Maltese Cup
• 1 APP NATIONAL U21 TEAM