REVINE THEOR. Power of grandparents, and of children with their dreams. Which sometimes come true. The power of a village of two hundred souls, Flambruzzo, which in a midsummer afternoon at least triples to applaud a tall skinny man of 1.92 who became European champion at 24. And who cares if he didn’t play a minute. He was there and the talent he has will make him play other tournaments that matter.
Power of grandparents. Alex Meret had a great fan, grandfather Edo, who is no longer there and on Thursday 22 July at his party everyone remembered and remembered as one of the fathers of football in these parts.
Mind you, when Pantani won the Tour de France he dedicated it to his grandfather Sotero; Alex Meret, goalkeeper of Napoli, of the National team “whose goal I defended from the under 16”, he says with pride, when he hears about his grandfather Edo he sighs, he is moved.
He says beautiful words: “He gave me so much, he was my first fan, he always followed me, he made an album with all the articles about me in the newspapers, he didn’t miss a game, he was a strong smiling person, full of joy and values, for me it was an important loss and I am sure that now he will be proud of me ».
Papa Arrigo behind him eats it with his eyes: “What do you want me to tell you, I’m proud of him.” Mamma Debora does the same. Yes, because everyone here says two things about Meret: good on and off the pitch.
Like Monsignor Paolo Brida: “Eight parishes, after all they are pretty big”, he explains and laughs. Then he lists them: Rivignano, Teor, Driolassa, Campomolle, Ariis, Flambruzzo, Pocenia and Torsa.
«I prayed a lot and cheered a lot, because there the fan came out more than the priest», he says proudly before giving himself together with Don Simone the much desired photo with the champion.
In the tent of the celebrations committee masterfully organized by Nile and his band, and obviously overcrowded, these words can be heard echoing. From the mayor of Rivignano-Teor, Mario Anzil, from that of Talmassons Fabrizio Pitton, from the regional councilor Mauro Bordin and from the president of the regional council, Pier Mauro Zanin: pride, passion, humility, gratitude, Friuli, Italy, group, Mancini.
Obviously the pueri cantores, also frequented by little Alex before being engulfed by balls and a goal to defend, sing the hymn of Mameli, complete with encore, and the song of the U2 European goes crazy, a catchphrase that for those children , who eat their hero with their eyes, will be the song of when Donnarumma hypnotized the English for life.
By the way Alex, how does Gigio get undressed? “He is great, I am already happy to be part of this group, then the goal is to work every day to overcome it clearly”.
“Yes – he closes before diving into a sea of autographs and photos to take with the little fans – I say to these children: believe us, follow your dreams, put your work and passion into it, perseverance”. Yes Alex, just what grandpa Edo told you. Power of grandparents. It’s really true. –