The story of Federico Basqueroto.. From taking care of his father’s farm to stealing the limelight in Calcio
Several names wrestled for the title of “the strongest soccer player in the world”, such as English player Adebayo Akinfenwa and Wolverhampton star Adama Traore, but this season a new name appeared, the Italian Federico Bascherotto, player of Lecce.
The solid defender, who made his debut this season in Serie A, scored three goals in 2023 (and caused Lecce’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Roma) and is one of the revelations of Italian football this season.
And in the stands of the “Via della Mare” stadium, you can see the banners that confirm the love of the fans and supporters for this defender, and of course, what attracts the most attention in Bascherotto is his physical fitness, and it can hardly be compared with two or three names in world football.
On this matter, the player said in statements reported by the newspaper “Marca”: “I have devoted many hours to my physical fitness, and I believe that it is the engine that allows us to stay more time in the world of football. I have become stronger, more agile and faster. Football has undoubtedly become more affected.” Physically, it helps me be stronger and faster on the field.”
Along with Samuel Umtiti, Baskerotto constitutes one of the strongest duos in the Italian First Division, as their team, Lecce, is the second best team at the defensive level among the clubs in the standings (from 10 to 20 in the Italian League), as it conceded 25 goals in 22 games, behind Juventus (17). target).
Physical strength and high level
Although his physique is what attracts most attention in Basscherotto, it is his numbers that attract attention even more, and he is already dreaming of going to the Italian national team.
Baskerotto is the best header scorer in Europe after Danilo Duchy (Union Berlin player), in the five major leagues, and is equal to Militao and Smalling, as the Italian defender scored three goals with his head.
Tough walk
Bascherotto’s career in the world of football was very difficult, as when he was young and went to the Legango team in the Italian fourth division, he had a traffic accident before his first training session, after he was riding a motorcycle and collided with a car, but fortunately nothing serious happened to him.
Then he joined the Cremonese Academy, played with the first team in the Italian third division, lived in a religious school and graduated in the accounting department at that time, and the gymnasium was already something “compulsory” for him.
In July 2021, Sculli Viterbesi (in Serie C) paid €200,000 for his signature, made his debut in Serie B and lasted one season, and in July 2022, Lecce paid Ascoli €350,000 for his signature, to make his debut. in Serie A at the age of 26.
his father’s farm
Pacherotto would have worked on his father’s farm if there had been any delay in his footballing career, and there in the city of Veneto, he continues to lend a hand to his father when football allows him to do so, with his three brothers.
During the Corona virus crisis, he was helping his father, who said in an interview with Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio: “When he was not playing football, he always helped me on the farm. It is not an easy task at all.”