“He resides within me, as if he continues to offer guidance, even on my journey through the world of football.” Federica Cappelletti, the widow of Paolo Rossi, navigates between preserving his enduring legacy and fulfilling a demanding role within the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). “The recent European Championship was an extraordinary showcase. It represents an opportunity we absolutely cannot afford to lose.”
Federica Cappelletti is a mother to two daughters, Maria Vittoria and Sofia Elena, and holds a profound love for her husband, Paolo Rossi, who passed away almost five years ago. She is committed to two crucial missions: ensuring the World Cup champion`s memory remains vibrant, partly through the Foundation, and striving to advance and stabilize the public image of Italian women`s football. “We have regained our position among the leading footballing nations; the `Azzurre` (Italian women`s national team) command great respect. The European Championship proved to be an excellent advertisement, a valuable asset we must not squander.” Since 2023, Federica has served as president of the professional Serie A Women`s Division of the FIGC. In an ever-evolving landscape, marked by challenging upward climbs and inevitable downturns, she endeavors to maintain a steadfast course.
Federica, let`s begin by recalling Paolo, your husband.
“Continuing to uphold his values and keeping his memory alive is vital, not just for my family and me, but for Italy as a whole: Paolo still embodies the heroic World Cup champion of 1982. He is an icon whose influence extends beyond his sporting achievements. He symbolizes a dream realized, marked by significant highs and lows. Young people continue to be interested in his story, and through the Foundation, I strive to share his message globally. Recently, I was in New York with an exhibition hosted at the United Nations Glass Palace — an honor no other Italian athlete had ever received. For Italian communities living abroad, Paolo remains a powerful symbol.”
What made him so unique?
“His life story, marked by falls, rebirth, and redemption, is like a cinematic narrative. And soon, there will be exciting new developments on that front.”
You continue to share very romantic memories and sentiments on social media, even though years have passed…
“For me, it`s as if he never left. He is an intrinsic part of me, as if he still guides me, even in my journey through the football world. The pain of his absence, however, remains acute, and sometimes I simply need to share a post. Many people consistently remember him with great affection.”
When you joined the Federation, some people speculated it was due to your surname. Do you ever feel as though you received a privileged position?
“More than anything, I feel privileged. Being Paolo Rossi`s wife grants a distinct advantage, one I`ve chosen to dedicate to the advancement of women`s football. I work tirelessly, even on Saturdays and Sundays if required. And I always emphasize to my daughters: when you strive to earn something and achieve it, the accomplishment feels far more rewarding. I consider myself fortunate, with numerous projects underway, but I can genuinely say that nothing has been handed to me for free.”
Have your daughters already decided on their future careers?
“It`s still a bit early; they are 15 and 13, but they are diligent students. They are truly model pupils. In this, too, I am very fortunate.”
Let`s turn to your involvement in women`s football. Any particular memories from the European Championship?
“I also returned to Switzerland for the final match, a game in which we could and should have participated. I can confidently say that Italy now holds a strong reputation. I`ve observed significant technical improvements, and I`m further reassured by the feedback from experts and former players who tell me they`ve become genuinely passionate and enjoyed watching women`s football matches. This is a valuable asset we must not allow to dissipate.”
There was also considerable enthusiasm after the 2019 World Cup, but it waned in the subsequent months…
“A national team that draws almost five million television viewers cannot simply fade back into silence. We witnessed beautiful teamwork, both on and off the pitch. These are young women who shed tears of joy and were visibly moved in front of the President of the Republic. They embody strong values: solidarity, loyalty. They even managed to win over the skeptics.”
Would Paolo have appreciated them?
“He would have deeply admired their capacity to evoke powerful emotions, just as he did. Paolo would be immensely proud of our national team and would be a great help in my work; he possessed a very modern vision.”
Is women`s football primarily for those who don`t typically enjoy football?
“It is also for those who may have distanced themselves from football and find in these athletes a profound sense of spontaneity and dedication, alongside their technical growth. As I reiterate, the European Championship was a fantastic advertisement and its momentum must not be lost.”
Meanwhile, a new competition, the Women`s Cup, is commencing before the league season, and there`s a debate surrounding unsold TV rights.
“That`s a futile debate. This is a brand new competition, and these things take time. During the tender process, we received an offer that did not meet the stipulated requirements. These are normal business dynamics, and a private negotiation is already well underway. There are no impending clouds on the horizon, not of that particular kind.”
Do certain criticisms affect you personally?
“They don`t wound me, but they do cause disappointment. In any case, I choose to interpret criticism in a positive light. In the near future, we will need to formulate a strategy for the sustainability of women`s football and football in general. Less criticism and more support: that is how we foster growth.”
Many `Azzurre` players, such as Cantore, are transferring abroad to prominent leagues: is Serie A becoming weaker as a result?
“We will miss them, but it is entirely appropriate that they seize these opportunities. Moreover, they will accumulate valuable experience that will undoubtedly enrich our league and our national team. The vibrancy of the Serie A transfer market is a significant indicator for Italian football as a whole.”
Federica, do you have a dream?
“My dream is to see women`s football fully established, to reach a point where we no longer need to exert ourselves just to gain credibility. I long to see matches played in major stadiums. And then, if Italy were to achieve a strong result at the World Cup in Brazil, especially considering my husband`s remarkable feats… well, that would be truly magnificent.”
