Federica Cappelletti, Paolo Rossi’s widow: «I press hard on my faith and he is with me. For Serie A, the 1982 champions wrote to me in their chat with Paulo:

The bag on the bed is a long journey. Together with Maria Vittoria and Sofia Elena, daughters Paolo Rossi (Red roses and a dedication to his name on every birthday for the little ones It is the disposition left by Pablito in the will), Federica Cappelletti It’s about to take off for Australia and New Zealand, where the Women’s World Cup sites will kick off on July 20. In the cart, in addition to a rich sample of paraphernalia to cheer for Italy (“We went shopping with the girls: flags, jerseys and all the tricolors we need to support the national team”), Federica’s new institutional role, She was unanimously elected by all clubs as president of the Women’s First DivisionFIGC, the governing body of the Italian professional league.

How far did FIFA’s top seed Gabriel Gravina insist?

“Not at all: My idea of ​​running as a candidate, the amplification of feminism, has intrigued me for a while. Football was my daily bread, and it was football for Paolo, who had a broad vision: he followed the men’s national team, of course, as well as the boys and girls. The values ​​of the sport and the concept of the team are the legacy of my husband, which I will carry with me.”

Why is she, Federica?

“For insisting on rising immediately after such great pain, perhaps, in keeping the name of Paolo Rossi aloft in the institution, in wanting to bring up two little girls. I didn’t aspire to hold positions, I aspired to do things.”

The professionalization of girls’ soccer must be promoted. like?

“With sustained autonomy for the first division, club participation, full implementation of vocational training (recognized by law in 2021), government recognition of the introduction of professionalism (providing tax breaks for contracts for young female athletes), the growth of nurseries, increased visibility, and thus increased revenues. for distribution to companies. Next season will be an important transitional season: a huge job awaits us.”

The next tournament still lacks a title sponsor and a television set to broadcast the matches.

We will soon be able to deliver the news.

Roberto Baggio says he likes the players because the women have passion and personality. What is Paolo Rossi passionate about?

“The psychology of the girls also fascinates me, the willingness to work, the iron will and the ability to work in a team. Paolo recalled the teamwork of Bearzot in Italy, which allowed this team to win the 82nd World Cup. No simulation, no waste of time: women enter the field and play.”

However, it seems impossible to shake off the comparisons to men. However, no female soccer player has ever dreamed of saying that she is claiming the earnings of her male colleagues.

“It is a cultural issue in Italy. Football was born in the nineteenth century as a men’s game. The women arrived in Milan in the 1930s. The development of women’s football is slower and more difficult: the first strong resistance is the acceptance of women wearing shorts. In 2023, I think we’re ready to move on. The turning point is not comparison but collaboration: Why don’t millions of men’s football fans support women’s football?

Speaking of comparisons: Italy, led by Melina Bertolini, is in the World Cup, unlike Mancini.

“We need balance, you have to face the World Cup with calm. The top scorer of 1982, Paolo, certainly didn’t arrive in Spain as a messiah, and Italy didn’t start out as a favourite. We know how it ended. Football is always a big unknown: nothing is taken for granted. ».

How can the popularity of the women’s championship, which has remained in place despite its professionalism, be increased?

“Communication is key. I would like to take our football beyond national borders, turn league matches into small events, and expand our staging area.”

The 82 World Champions can lend a hand.

“They filled the chat they shared with Paolo with congratulations on my election. The first was Cabrini, who coached the women’s national teamThe others follow: Tardelli, Altobelli, Conti, Antognoni, everyone else. They wrote that we will be there if you need them. I was so pleased: Italy 1982 is, after all, a family. Here, I would like to engage them, take them to the stadium to see the women. Since Paolo left, they have not left me alone for a moment.”

Don’t you feel suspicious of girls?

“No bias, no doubt. Quite the opposite. I hope I can compare myself with them a lot during the tournament.”

blue In 2019, they surprisingly reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup They have become a reference model for Italian girls who are passionate about football. As a manager, who do you refer to?

Instead of taking inspiration from icons, I decided to do the reverse. I’ll take the field myself, I’ll travel to meet clubs and girls, and I’ll study the history of our women’s football. I will not be the head of the office. Listening and observing will be my motto: only by knowing things from within can one change.”

Besides love and memory, is there something left of Paul’s face that he will take with him on this journey as a talisman?

The record we exchanged in the hospital before my husband died: No, not a wedding ring, a more private one. His memory is very present, but if I hold that faith so firmly, I feel Paul is here with me.”