Before every game, Giacomo Barzotti says he puts on his jersey, laces up his cleats and steps on to the field. “The feeling of tension floods my entire body,” he says.

For three consecutive years he has been the leading scorer on the Cagli soccer team. But he is otherwise just like most other 19 year olds. He loves his family. He loves his friends, and he loves sports. Early in life his father introduced him and his sister to the game of soccer. It’s not just a connection between his father and him; it’s a connection with his whole family. But his mother says that young boys play for their mother.

“Him coming home muddy has been the daily routine for years” she said.

Even now, 15 years after Giacomo began playing, his father is still one of his biggest supporters. Giuliano Barzotti, Giacomo’s father, has been a firefighter in Cagli for 30 years. On his days off he took Giacomo and his sister, Jenny, to their games, and traveled all over to see them play. Even though Giuliano, who has a huge picture of his son in his dining room, didn’t play soccer, he has had a huge impact on his son’s life.

Young Barzotti has one dream and one dream only: to play professional soccer. Finishing up his senior year in high school and with summer approaching, he can finally focus more on his future and most of all, his dream.

“My girlfriend gets mad because I think about soccer all the time,” Barzotti said.
When Barzotti is on the field and playing well, he thinks everyone supports him, and he feels satisfied. All of the elements of his game have come together in harmony, and it shows in his performance.

Even a few moments watching Barzotti play soccer shows his skill just by the moves he makes. He would set aside time every practice to juggle the ball with his head and see how many consecutive hits he could get.
After practicing for so long he can now juggle the ball for five minutes with his head.

Barzotti is a student of the game, but he’s also a fan. He is keeping close tabs on the World Cup games under way now in Germany. These matches make up the most important competition in international soccer. He is now just content watching the games from his television at home, miles away from the action.
Barzotti and his friends watch soccer on TV every chance they get, to cheer for their favorite teams and players.

Barzotti’s idol is Francesco Totti, a member of the Italian national team. Barzotti often compares himself to Totti and models his game after the accomplished player. Barzotti even wears a jersey with the same number, No. 10, as his idol.

Hanging from his rearview mirror in his car are an AC Milan jersey, a key chain with the number 10 and a miniature soccer ball. A framed picture of him and his idol sits on the bookshelf of the living room, and several jerseys of his favorite teams and players are always nearby.

Barzotti became the player that he is because his father and sister pushed him to succeed. They now say they knew that he would be something great.

He got covered in mud in many hard-fought games. Although his jersey was often dirty, his passion for the game and respect he holds for his competitors remain.

After Barzotti scores a goal, he kisses his knuckles and waves his hands in the air toward the crowd—many Cagliesi play soccer or attend games to support favorite players-as a way of dedicating the goal to his fans, family and friends.

Barzotti plays soccer because of passion. To him it is a sacrifice but one that he makes because it is fun for him.

“Soccer comes before everything. There is nothing else I would rather be doing.”

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