Former Reggina icon Ciccio Cozza shared his story during the “Operazione Nostalgia” reunion in Reggio Calabria, which this year brought together over 40 football legends at the Granillo stadium.
Ciccio Cozza recalls the start of his career, arriving in Reggio Calabria at 12 and then moving to Milan at 15. For him, growing up in a small Calabrian village, that transfer was a unique experience in an era without technology. A symbol of Reggina and cheered at the “Operazione Nostalgia” gathering at Granillo, the 51-year-old former midfielder reflects on his childhood dreams: playing in Serie A with his beloved Reggina and becoming its captain. Dreams that, with great satisfaction, he managed to realize.
Do you remember when the call from Milan came to your house?
“I only saw Milan and all those champions on television during `Novantesimo Minuto`… The only thing I thought about was that I wanted to play with them.”
However, it didn`t turn out that way, and you never made your debut with Milan. Any regrets?
“No, no regrets. Milan gave me a lot because it helped me grow as a man and offered me an incredible opportunity compared to what I could have expected in the south. I was lucky enough to win a cup and a Scudetto, even if I wasn`t a protagonist, but it made me realize the beginning of my dream and then allowed me to find space in other teams.”
Reggina above all?
“Yes, that team and that jersey gave me the chance to become an important figure in the world of football. Here I built so much; I achieved significant records for appearances and goals. I played against teams with champions like Dida, Baggio, Totti, Iuliano, Di Livio… before, I only saw them on TV, then I started playing against them.”
What does Reggio mean to you?
“I can explain it in two words: Cozza is Reggina, and Reggina is Cozza.”
You played for Reggina until 2009, then finished your career at Salernitana. When did you start thinking about life after football?
“In my last years, I started building a future for myself after playing. I started coaching, I enjoy it, and that`s the primary goal: to have fun and make the kids have fun.”
Outside the pitch, years ago you were involved in a legal proceeding and moved from sports pages to news pages.
“That episode hurt me because people who don`t know you categorize you in a certain way… Unfortunately, it`s something that marked me in the world of sport because being investigated, even though there was never anything against me in the papers, leaves a mark. But now it`s all in the past. It was an experience I went through, and I hope nothing similar ever happens again, because these are episodes that cause suffering and hurt family members too.”
Another storm, completely different, arose with the end of your marriage to Manila Nazzaro.
“I no longer have a relationship with my ex-wife, also because in the past she said absurd things, but then we clarified things through lawyers. Those were truly inappropriate remarks. There were many lies in those accounts, but now it`s no longer discussed; it`s a closed chapter. She`s living her life, and I`m living mine; the important thing was to raise and protect our children well. Now I am a very happy man. I have a partner, Celestina, whom I love, we have a child together, and we are in love.”
What do you ask of the future?
“I would like to find a team abroad.”
Why not Italy?
“To experience other leagues, other realities. Italian football gave me a lot, and I also dedicated myself greatly. But for years, it seems like everything has somewhat stalled; it`s harder to discover talents and bring them to high levels. We`ve seen this with the difficulties of the National team. Now we trust in Gattuso.”
