'I have only one goal: to make Italy great again' says Malagò

Newly elected Italian Soccer

Federation (FIGC) President Giovanni Malagò said he had only one

goal, to make Italy great again, and hoped to repeat the past

success of the four-time world champion after they became the

first former champions to miss out on World Cup qualification

for three straight times this year.

"I've always had only one goal: to make Italy great. I did well

with Circolo Aniene (a Rome sports club), perhaps I was lucky:

but now it's the largest amateur club in Europe.

"With me, CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) won the most medals

in Paris.

"And then the Milan-Cortina Olympics. I think that somehow those

who support me believe that what I've achieved can be repeated

with the Italian Football Federation.

"I am not a black pope, I feel like the son, brother, and father

of each of you," Malagò added at the FIGC assembly.

"I hope to repeat the past successes, ushering in a new era for

football," he continued, stressing that "if we win, we all do it

together.

"We all lose together, and if we win, we all win together.

Otherwise, we won't get anywhere," and "I will make you feel

proud to be moving toward this new era of Italian football."

Visibly and surprisingly moved, Malagò spoke at the CONI

elective assembly.

A call for unity for the "revival of football." "I think that

somehow those who support me believe that what I've achieved can

be repeated with the Italian Football Federation," explained

Malagò, recounting his experiences leading the Circolo Aniene,

the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), and the

Milan-Cortina 2026 Foundation.

"But, while I've never been performance-hungry, I feel a growing

sense of responsibility." "It's a very complicated challenge,"

he emphasized.

"We have two and a half years of sports legislation, and a year

or so, if we get there, of political legislation, with which we

need to mend fences in mutual interests, because they are not

opposing sides.

"When there have been differing positions with the Italian

National Olympic Committee (CONI), I've always shown that by

keeping a straight back, you can achieve much more than just

appearing available.

"Our roots shouldn't be a burden that almost suffocates us and

reminds us of who we were before and the players who were there.

Instead, they should be a stimulus to look to the future, a new

season, humble yet ambitious," he concluded.

"It's essential that each of you feel like a protagonist. I want

you to feel proud to be moving into this new era of Italian

football."

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA