From the intense pressures of Serie A pitches to the analytical calm of a broadcast booth, Dario Marcolin`s journey is a compelling narrative of adaptation, deep personal bonds, and navigating life`s unpredictable turns. More than just a former footballer, Marcolin offers a unique perspective on the modern athlete`s post-career evolution, all while reflecting on profound personal experiences.
From Childhood Cogs to Football Pitches: An Unconventional Calling
Before the roar of the stadium and the strategic plays on the pitch, a young Dario Marcolin harbored a rather intricate ambition: to be a watchmaker. “I loved taking them apart and putting them back together,” he recalls, his fascination extending to the broader world of electronics. It`s a charming detail, a stark contrast to the life he would eventually lead, underscoring that destiny often takes a circuitous route. He certainly wasn`t dreaming of becoming a journalist, though his current role involves asking very specific questions.
His eventual immersion into professional football truly began at 18 with Cremonese. It was there, making the leap from youth to the first team, that he recognized the gravity of his opportunity. Sharing a dressing room with a player like Gustavo Abel Dezotti, whom Marcolin fondly remembers as “the Vardy of that time,” hints at the strong characters and raw talent that shaped his early career.
The Lazio Years: Navigating Fame and Forging Bonds
Marcolin`s move to Lazio, alongside teammates Favalli and Bonomi, plunged him into “the world of adults.” It was a locker room brimming with stars – Signori, Winter, Fuser, Cravero, and later Marchegiani, Casiraghi, and even the iconic Gascoigne. This environment, while exhilarating, came with its own set of challenges. Rome, a city of immense beauty and “a thousand opportunities,” presented a constant stream of temptations off the field.
“The hardest thing is to say no and think only about football,” Marcolin candidly admits. It was about becoming a “machine,” meticulously adhering to a routine: social outings until Thursday, family time on Saturday, then intense focus on the upcoming match. This disciplined mindset, he notes, is essential as one ascends to higher levels of the sport. His ability to maintain a “normal family” life, even marrying a dancer from the famous Bagaglino cabaret, became a testament to his grounded nature, avoiding the pitfalls of celebrity gossip that so often ensnared others.
The Art of Man-Management: Lessons from Eriksson
Throughout his career, Marcolin was more than just a player; he was a leader. His role as a “locker-room guy” was innate, leading the U21 National team to a European championship and even organizing Lazio`s Scudetto celebration. Coaches, just like teammates, valued his character. Among the esteemed managers he played under—Zoff, Zeman—Sven-Göran Eriksson holds a special place.
Marcolin recounts tennis matches with Eriksson, where the Swedish coach, a “classic ball-basher,” would engage in rallies of 15-20 shots. “He was a gentleman,” Marcolin states, emphasizing Eriksson`s remarkable ability to connect with every player. “He had 30 players in the squad? He built 30 important relationships. Number one in locker room management.” Eriksson`s calm demeanor was, in Marcolin`s view, fundamental to that great Lazio side`s success.
A Legacy of Friendship: The Unforgettable Sinisa Mihajlovic
Perhaps the most poignant part of Marcolin`s story is his profound connection with Sinisa Mihajlovic. Their relationship spanned years and roles: teammates at Inter, then Marcolin serving as Mihajlovic`s assistant coach at Catania and Fiorentina. Their families were, and remain, deeply intertwined, giving Marcolin a unique vantage point into Mihajlovic`s multifaceted personality.
“An extraordinary father, strict but would melt as soon as his kids gave him puppy eyes,” Marcolin describes. As a coach, Mihajlovic was “direct,” always pushing for innovation. But it was during Mihajlovic`s courageous battle with illness that Marcolin witnessed the true depths of his friend`s spirit.
Marcolin was there for Mihajlovic`s first hospitalization in Bologna, witnessing his unwavering resolve. Despite a regimen of 21 pills daily and undergoing a bone marrow transplant, Mihajlovic never gave up. He even returned to play padel with Marcolin, demanding “so much from himself.” The narrative becomes particularly emotional when Marcolin recounts Mihajlovic`s final days: “Eight days before he died, he went for a run with his son, and it was his son who told his father `that`s enough, dad`.” He fought until the very end, giving his loved ones “a few more days.” It`s a testament to an indomitable will, even in the face of the inevitable.
Life`s Unseen Battles and a “Second Life” in Padel
The conversation takes another somber turn as Marcolin shares his own personal tragedy: losing his father in 2020 during the harrowing peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Bergamo. The image of military “tanks with coffins” remains etched in collective memory, and for Marcolin, it was a deeply personal, sudden loss. “He was hospitalized, and we heard nothing more… A lightning bolt from a clear sky.” Such experiences underscore the profound human element beneath the public persona of a sports figure.
In a lighter, yet equally significant, vein, Marcolin has found a “second life” in padel. Having started in 2015, he`s witnessed its meteoric rise, particularly among former footballers. “It has become a business,” he observes, “economically giving a second life to many.” Marcolin, with a touch of characteristic bluntness, describes it as a “crazy sport” where everyone claims proficiency, but concedes it`s “so much strategy, so much a matter of head.” However, he`s quick to dispel myths: “the aches will come. And it doesn`t make you lose weight!” he quips, perhaps with a knowing smile.
An Evolving Legacy
Dario Marcolin`s journey is far from linear. From dismantling watches as a child to leading teams on the pitch, analyzing games from the commentary box, and finding new passions in padel, he embodies a remarkable capacity for adaptation. His reflections on the camaraderie of football, the profound sorrow of loss, and the ever-changing landscape of post-athletic life offer a rich tapestry of experiences. He remains, as ever, a compelling voice – both on and off the screen – offering insights that resonate far beyond the confines of the beautiful game.