Tuesday, January 3, 2023
WHAT IS THE LIFE OF LEONARDO TORTONESI?
The athlete plays for the promotion club, Ferentino, in the Lazio region
The training basketball in our city always generates good values from the long-term work generated by the clubs dedicated to the children’s and youth divisions.
The local basketball youth academy has historically managed generations of athletes to compete in the professional leagues of Argentina and Europe.
Leonardo Tortonesi, the basketball player from Pergamin (30 years old), initiated in the lower divisions of Club Sports, who currently plays in Italy, tells of his European experience.
With a well-known and applauded winning personality, much loved at all the clubs where he played, and the bearer of great talent, Tortonesi left his mark on each of the institutions he played for, although the championships achieved with his beloved Sports are what he player most remember.
What is it that attracted you to basketball?
What led me to play basketball was my best friend Rodolfo Torregrosa, we went to school together and he took me to practice this sport, discover my vocation.
How was that first stage in the lower divisions of Club Sports, until you became captain at Pergamino Básquet?
The club of my loves is Club Sports; I remember a very happy childhood, since all my friends were from the club, from the childhood that I literally lived in the club, in the buffet, on the pitch. We were lucky enough to win many championships and have one of the best litters in the club’s history.
Over the years I managed to develop in other leagues, such as Rosario, Entre Ríos, and San Nicolás. I think that everything forged my personality to later reach Julián Pagura, the Pergamino Básquet coach, who gave me the honor of being the captain of the city team.
What defined the decision to continue playing in Europe?
The decision to come and play abroad was first linked to applying for Italian citizenship, since without that dual nationality you cannot play. On the other hand, the adventure of doing what I like the most by going to other leagues, another language, which I thought would be an important challenge to face.
What are your dreams, goals in basketball, thinking long term?
I think I have met and exceeded all my expectations in the world of basketball. I had to play at all levels in Argentina, caressing a year in the national league that was really a dream; adding some adventures abroad. I think that everything that comes in the future can only be enjoyed. Likewise, I aspire to meet new leagues, try to meet places and new people. To grow from those new opportunities.
How do you live the experience in another country, not only in sport, but in your daily life?
I always had the idea of emigrating, it is a very strong change on a personal level, leaving everything you know, your people, your culture, your country. I love Argentina, I really like living there, and I am very clear that I am going to return, but I believe that these experiences cannot be carried out at any stage of life, and I thought today is the moment to live it. Life in Italy is very similar to life in Argentina; people are extremely passionate, crazy about football or sports in general. When you “grasp” the hand of the language, you enjoy it a lot. The “tanos” are very good and critical in general, with food, their customs and passions. The only difference that I see as important would be economic, in Italy silver yields much more.
