The race for the future of Italian football is officially underway. With the FIGC Presidential election set for June 22 at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel, two heavyweight candidates have stepped forward to present their visions: Giancarlo Abete and Giovanni Malagò.
Abete, backed by the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (amateur league), and Malagò, supported by Lega Serie A, submitted their paperwork just ahead of the 40-day deadline. Their manifestos are now public, signaling the start of what promises to be a pivotal campaign for Italian football.
Malagò's platform focuses on revitalizing the domestic game from the ground up. He proposes incentives to boost playing time for young Italian talents in Serie A, alongside a national plan to accelerate stadium and training facility construction. These initiatives aim to address long-standing issues of youth development and infrastructure, key factors in keeping Italian football competitive on the European stage.
Abete, meanwhile, is advocating for a more centralized approach. His plan seeks to limit Serie A's power to block progress, arguing that the FIGC must have the authority to make decisions that benefit the entire football movement. He also calls for reducing the number of professional clubs and introducing a dedicated managerial group to oversee the Nazionale (Club Italia), ensuring the national team remains a top priority.
Interestingly, a third candidate—former player Renato Miele—attempted to join the race but was rejected for lacking sufficient delegate support. The election will also feature votes for new federation councillors, with notable names like Inter President Beppe Marotta and Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini among the candidates.
As the election campaign heats up, the Italian football community will be watching closely. The outcome will shape not only the sport's governance but also its ability to nurture young talent, modernize facilities, and maintain its proud legacy on the world stage. For fans and players alike, the choices made on June 22 could define the next era of calcio.