the seasonal debut on the pitch at the age of 69 of Edoardo Ridolfi known as “Pirlo”

Ten full minutes to bring order in the middle of the pitch and secure the result, slowing down the opponents’ attacks in search of an equalizer. Mission accomplished, because at the referee’s final whistle his team brought home not only three points of fundamental importance for the standings, but also a very heartfelt derby.

Thus ended the season debut of Edoardo Ridolfimidfielder of Bridge in Moriano Valpedognaa team that plays in the Third Series Amateur championship organized by the Aics of Lucca.

We’re talking about amateur football, but with a notable following (more than 70 teams, divided into 5 different series), where those who go on the pitch are serious, indeed. Edoardo, in this panorama, stands out for his… experience of him: born in 1954, in fact, in August it will blow out 70 candles.

But he doesn’t even think about hanging up his shoes: «I don’t look at my identity card – he says – I feel like I’m 20 years oldas long as the sports doctor gives me my sporting fitness, I will continue.”

A life always there, there in the middle – quoting a famous song by Ligabue -, but not like Oriali: «They call me Pirlo – says Edoardo laughing -, I don’t know if I can explain myself». And in fact, in the derby against Ponte a Moriano 2.0 he took to the pitch with the jersey number 21just like that of the former Milan and Juve midfielder, world champion in Germany in 2006 with Marcello Lippi’s Italy.

«Football – adds Edoardo – has always been a kind of drug for me, since I was a child. I come from a small town in the municipality of Pescaglia called Fiano: I started kicking a ball at the age of 6, due to my father’s desperation for the damage I was doing at home, but at the time in our area there were no youth sectors. Then at the age of 14 I suffered a serious injury when I fell from my bicycle and I was stuck for a long time. I had to wait until I was 20 to join a real team.”

This is the age of his debut in the FIGC championships and then his subsequent militancy in various teams in the area, alternating between the Third and Second Category: Robur Cardoso, Maolina, Valfreddana, Fiano, Diecimo and Valpedogna. «In those years – adds Ridolfi – I was doing quite well and I had also received several offers from first category companies. It wasn’t like today, at that time even among amateurs interesting reimbursements were offered, but they asked for 3 or even 4 training sessions a week. Too demanding: I chose work and family.” At 50 years old, here is the last championship in the FIGC with Diecimo and the transition to amateur football: «My son – says Edoardo – at that time was playing in Serie D and I preferred to follow him on Sundays».

Here a new, long parenthesis opens for the midfielder from Fiano, still open today: «In the amateurs – he says – obviously the rhythm and intensity are different compared to the amateur FIGC championships, but the passion is the same. Me for example I never miss training: twice a week it is an essential ritual whether it is raining, windy or icy. It does not change anything. The secrets of my longevity? Consistency and passion, I believe. When I’m on the pitch I don’t look at anyone and the desire is the same as on the first day».

Last Saturday’s seasonal debut, which coincided as mentioned with a precious victory for his team, is seen by Edoardo as a starting point and not an arrival point: «The truth – he closes laughing – is that I play too little: the coach prefers running players, but perhaps a technical one would be needed a little more. I I’ve always had good feet».