In 2016, Alessandro Verratti and Matteo Murone returned home from Genoa feeling crushed, thinking all hope was lost. Their love for football kept them going and led them on a journey into the world of elite sports. However, facing hardship that is seldom discussed and struggling with disappointment, Alessandro and Matteo turned to their friendship and passion for football for comfort.

Childhood Friendship and Shared Heritage

Matteo and Alessandro's long-standing friendship began at the age of 12 when Matteo joined Alessandro's team and scored the winning goal. Their shared Italian heritage drew them together, and they communicated in Italian without being understood by the opposing team.

Facing Hardship and Disappointment

Both Matteo and Alessandro showed great promise from a young age, but they also faced their share of hardship and disappointment. Alessandro's international football journey started when he was 15 securing trials at Palermo F.C enjoying a lengthy stint and experiencing football at the highest level having trained with World Cup Winner, Paolo Dybala and Europa League Winner, Franco Vasquez, but ultimately it was cut short when he discovered he had osteitis pubis, a permanent groin injury. Matteo's story began when their Melbourne team was slaughtered by Real Madrid at the Puskas Cup in Hungary.

Journey to Play Professionally in Italy

At 18, a call from Italy gave Matteo and Alessandro an opportunity to play professionally. They jumped at the chance and arrived in Italy with high hopes. Alessandro's uncle arranged for training at the Eccellenza team at Palombaro (Abruzzo) and the boys were promised trials for Pescara and Lanciano FC. Finally a breakthrough, Serie C side, Chieti F.C had shown great interest in the youngsters and were ready to put pen to paper. However, Italian bureaucracy stood in the way, and the season ended before they could secure contracts.

Alessandro's Journey Continues Alone

The next opportunity came at Genoa C.F.C.'s training academy. Matteo decided to fly back to Melbourne for personal reasons, and Alessandro continued alone. He had a SerieB trial for Spain's Llieda Esportiu under 23s, but after a successful trial, the Spanish team refused the proposed contract after the agent attempted to insert shifty clauses to obtain a greater percentage of the transfer.

Depression and Finding a New Passion

Matteo discusses depression and the emotional toll that a short-lived career in sports takes on athletes. Their notoriety within their community also made things harder. After deferring for one year, both Alessandro and Matteo enrolled in business courses and created CALCIOCLUB™, a joint business venture selling casual T-shirts sporting the names of world-class Italian football teams in retro styles from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Their passion for football is now kept alive through their brand, which captures their story and love for the beautiful game.

The Importance of Seeking Support

Matteo and Alessandro's friendship and passion for football helped them overcome disappointment and hardship. Their story shows the importance of having a support system and finding new passions when faced with adversity. CALCIOCLUB™ is a testament to their enduring love for the game, and their brand is a reminder that even when things don't go as planned, there is always a way to keep the fire burning.

If this story raised any concerns for yourself or someone you know please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or you can access their online services at www.lifeline.org.au If you need immediate help, please call 000.