Italy won't be at the World Cup. Again. For the third consecutive time, the Italian national football team has failed to qualify, and this time the final blow came in the World Cup Qualifiers against Bosnia. One of those evenings when it's best not to look at social media, not to open newspapers, and, above all, not to remember that we weren't there in 2018, nor in 2022, and now we're here making it a hat-trick.
At FeelGarda, to process the footballing grief, we did what we do best: look at the territory. And we remembered that this corner of Italy — the provinces of Brescia and Verona, the shores of Garda — has given the Italian national team champions who actually won the World Cup. They didn't just watch it on TV.
A small journey into the glorious past, to console ourselves in the present.
The World Champions (born in the provinces of Brescia and Verona)
Andrea Pirlo — Flero (BS)
The Maestro. Capital M, no arguments. Born in Flero, in the province of Brescia, just a few kilometers from the lake. World Champion in 2006, he is considered one of the greatest playmakers in the history of world football — not just Italian. One of those players where when he touched the ball, time seemed to slow down. He probably learned his calm from Lake Garda. We are still searching for that calm after Italy-Bosnia.
Ugo Locatelli — Toscolano-Maderno (BS)
This is the name that will make you look good at dinner. Ugo Locatelli is the only footballer born right on the lake shore to have won both the World Cup (France 1938) and Olympic Gold (Berlin 1936). Toscolano-Maderno, on the Brescia side of Garda. An absolute champion, forgotten by most, who deserves to be rediscovered — especially in moments when the national team disappoints us.
Damiano Tommasi — Negrar (VR)
Technically, he didn't win the World Cup — he was in the squad in 2002, but Italy went out in the quarter-finals against Korea under circumstances that are still best not commented on today. Yet Tommasi is the Veronese icon of the modern national team: a substantive midfielder, a pillar of the 2001 Scudetto-winning Roma, and now the mayor of Verona. From the field to the city hall, without missing a beat. Someone send him to the bench at the FIGC.
Giacomo Raspadori — linked to the territory
Not born in the province, but with family roots linked to the Garda area. European Champion 2021 with the Italian national team — when we still saw the World Cups. One of the most intelligent strikers of his generation: the type of player you never see do anything spectacular, but at the end of the action, you wonder how it ended up in the net. We hope the next technical commissioners will also see it.
The "Greats" born or raised in the area
Mario Balotelli — Brescia
Born in Palermo, a Brescian in every sense. Raised in Bagnolo Mella, adopted by the city and its people. Balotelli was the driving force behind Italy at Euro 2012 — semi-final against Germany, a brace, a celebration with his shirt raised that became an icon. Controversial, unpredictable, brilliant. Just like certain summer storms on the lake: you never know what to expect, but when it arrives, you remember it. And how you remember it.
Alessandro Altobelli — “Spillo”
Born in Sonnino (LT), but an absolute legend of Brescia and Inter. World Champion 1982 — that National team, that cup, that final against West Germany. Altobelli scored the third goal, which sealed the deal. “Spillo” because of his slender build, lethal because of his nose for goal. The territory adopted him, and he repaid it with years of extraordinary football. Years when we went to the World Cup, and often won it.
Roberto Baggio
Born in Caldogno (VI), but it was at Brescia that he lived the last glorious years of his career, becoming the sporting symbol of the city and the territory. The Divine Ponytail at Brescia was already beyond football: he was an icon who took to the field for the love of the game. He certainly played in the World Cups — and that 1994 final against Brazil, with that high penalty, is still one of the most iconic images in football history. Fortunately, he didn't witness three consecutive missed qualifications.
Francesco Acerbi — grew up in Desenzano del Garda
Defender, European Champion 2021, and probably the most representative athlete born and raised on the lake shores in recent years. Acerbi is one of those players who gets stronger with age — like certain local wines, after all. Desenzano del Garda, on the Brescia side. The lake is in his DNA.
Other notable historical names
Eugenio Corini — Bagnolo Mella (BS)
Historic playmaker, a pillar of the European Champion Under-21 team. Corini is one of those midfielders whom opposing fans hated and his own adored: precise, intelligent, tireless. Bagnolo Mella, province of Brescia.
Sergio Cervato — Verona legend
Born in Carmignano di Brenta, but inextricably linked to Verona and the 1950s National team. One of the most prolific — and most underrated — defenders in Azzurri history. A name that true enthusiasts know, and that deserves to be remembered. Especially now that there are fewer and fewer good things to remember in Italian football.
The (bitter) point
Italy-Bosnia wrote another dark page in Azzurri football. Third consecutive missed World Cup qualification: 2018, 2022, and now. A streak that we hope will end soon, because football without Italy is like Garda without the wind: technically it exists, but something is missing.
In the meantime, we continue to look at this territory with pride. Because Pirlo, Locatelli, Acerbi, Balotelli, Baggio — these champions were born or raised here, on the shores of the lake, in the provinces of Brescia and Verona. And no missed qualification can take that away from us.
Lake Garda never ceases to amaze. Italian football, for now, does.
0 comments