Alessandro Diamanti: The boy behind Western United’s lead man
Despite his age, Diamanti, 36, is not growing up anytime soon — and that augurs well for the A-League’s newest club. David Davitovic meets the boy behind Western United’s leading man.
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Western United’s inaugural captain Alessandro Diamanti takes life as seriously as he takes his football.
Not to be disrespectful to the game that has propelled him to the world stage and provided his family with a good living, but the toddler that started kicking ball around has never left the ex-Italy, West Ham and Bologna star.
Like the 24-year-old who made his debut for Livorno against Inter Milan.
“I played in the (lower divisions) for a few years. One day they called me (from) Serie A. I played 90 minutes against Inter at home — against Adriano, (Javier), (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic,” Diamanti said.
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“The first game I said in the interview it’s very easy to play Serie A (compared to) Serie B or Serie C. Very easy for me. It’s fun. (Some players would be) oh today, I’m in trouble, I’m (nervous).
“I’m instinctive. For me my power and my first quality is instinct, fantasy. In Serie A and other places, we lost this attitude with happiness, play football with fantasy. Now football has changed with tactics (formations). This is very bad for supporters, for the show.
We signed Alessandro Diamanti #OnThisDay in 2009... this was a 👠of a free-kick... pic.twitter.com/StVlZgSPSc
— West Ham United (@WestHam) August 28, 2018
“My first (football) memories are like the memories of every kid on the world that likes football — to play in Serie A and international team. But to arrive to this is sacrifice, a lot of work.
“Football is unbelievable. It’s big emotion, football gives you many many reasons to (keep going).”
It makes him a potential nightmare to coach — for some — but a joy to watch.
In light of the players union’s golden generation study, which underlined the importance of culture and enjoyment for kids, Diamanti’s attitude serves only to underline that point.
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“Expect the unexpected with him. He can be an absolute joy to watch at training, then expect him to do things we don’t work on at training as well,” Western United coach Mark Rudan said.
“People will be entertained. You want to get a seat to watch him live as well, because he does things away from the cameras that you go ‘this is good’. Positions he takes up, understanding space, the way he organises people around him.
Alessandro Diamanti sees things you don't.
— FOX Sports Football (@FOXFOOTBALL) October 13, 2019
Even when he's not looking. pic.twitter.com/vIqNgaGmuo
“Young kids — we’re trying to develop that number 10 (attacking midfielder) as often as possible. You’d be mad not to ask mum and dad to come and watch this guy live. You’ll learn so much from him.
“We are working so hard to develop kids, but game awareness is one area we are struggling with young ones. We’re telling them too much what to do in terms of positioning rather than letting them learn and express themselves.
“You hear that a lot — player and ball. Grow up with the ball. Majority of these guys who have been blessed with certain skill sets, work on them. They’ve adapted to the ball at a young age.
“He’s a free spirited guy and he wants to play football like that. He has to understand that we play a certain way, but there’s also that part where I let him have that freedom in the attacking third where he’s unleashed — do what comes naturally to you.”
Diamanti’s jovial nature has made an impact at the A-League expansion club and kept teammates and staff on their toes.
Like the day they were due to fly to Sydney for the A-League launch and he sent the media officer scrambling by calling 10 minutes before they were due to board to claim he was stuck in traffic.
“From the first day he’s set foot on the training ground, his energy has been contagious. He loves a joke, but he works as hard as anyone,” Western United director of football Steve Horvat said.
Despite his age, Diamanti, 36, is not growing up anytime soon. And that augurs well for Western United.
