Edu and Aldo, the story of a friendship that resists time and distance

Zilio and Lermee, two former footballers united more than ever despite their paths have divided

history

A career long friendship. That crosses mountains and borders. Which lasts over time and is enriched with a few more experiences every year. Like those shared by Aldo Zilio and Eduardo Lermee, two well-known faces of local football and who in the past have worn many amateur club jerseys.

Aldo Zilio, born in 1979, goalkeeper who grew up in the youth academies of Venice where he played until the Primavera, then moved to Gemeaz San Polo, Ponzano, Cordignano, Edo Mestre, Opitergina, Vittorio Veneto to finish his career at Liapiave.

Eduardo Lermee, Argentine former midfielder, born in 1981, played with Edo Mestre, Calvi Noale, Favaro, Calcio Spinea and Marcon.

Two careers that at a certain point crossed and from that moment a friendship was born between them that still remains solid today. And, despite life having divided the paths of these two former companions, with Zilio who after following the Academy of Paris Saint Germain in the USA now lives and works in France at the Thonon Evian Grand Geneve and returns to Italy only on the occasion of the holidays , and with Lermee who, after hanging up his shoes, remained to live in Venice where he trains the young people, born in 1914, from Favaro.

Despite the distance, we said, every year, during the Christmas holidays, they do not miss their race to the San Giuliano Park. Like the one for Christmas 2021, which in addition to training, becomes a moment of comparison and sharing of one’s work experiences. “In fact, when we meet, we update a little – confirms Zilio before leaving for France. – We talk by phone to share our experiences in the football world and the evolution of our lives. We met when our goal was to perform to make our team win.Now we are fathers of two children each and we tell each other the difficulties and joys of this status that has changed. Edu has a big heart and for this reason, even at a distance, she is one of those friendships that I don’t want to neglect and lose. We had a great connection in everyday life when we played and we continue to cultivate it with these appointments of ours. In recent years I have continued to work on the staff of the Thonon Evian Grand Geneve first team as an assistant coach and we have won the first three championships as a goal to return to a high level. Furthermore, I am also engaged as director of the Icef Europe. (International Center of European Football). We host 50 young people from 23 different nationalities for a high-level football training and cultural integration experience in a cutting-edge sports center that I manage ».

Mutual esteem and trust that Lermee himself confirms in his statements. «The one with Aldo is one of those friendships that leaves football. Which, like sport, is a school of life ». –

Alessandro Torre