Ehe title of ‘strongest footballer in the world’ was fought until now by names like Adebayo Akinfenwa o Adam Traore. Since this season, however, a new name has risen to stardom: Federico Baschirotto (Isola della Scala, Italy, 1996). The Italian, making his debut this season in Serie A, has already scored three goals in 2023 (and caused his own goal in Lecce 1-1 Roma this Saturday) and is one of the revelations of Italian football. In the stands of Via del Mare you can see banners that confirm the ‘Baschirotto-mania’ or Action Man-like action figures make the center-back an idol of the masses
I dedicate many hours to my physique, I think it is the engine that allows us to work more time in football
Of course, what most attracts Baschirotto’s attention is his physique, unmatched in Italian football and barely comparable to two or three names in world football: “I dedicate many hours to my physique, I think it’s the engine that allows us to work more time in soccer. I became stronger, more agile, faster. Today, football is undoubtedly much more impressive on a physical level and that helps me to be more explosive and faster on the field. It has helped me a lot over the years and I will continue to do so.” And he clarifies: “I do it more for a matter of field than on a personal or aesthetic level”in words given to ‘Chiamarsi Bomber’.
I do it more for a field issue than on a personal or aesthetic level
Federico Baschirotto celebrates a goal with el Lecce.
Next to Samuel UmtitiBashkirotto shape one of the most forceful couples in Serie A. It is the team on the right side of the table (from 10 to 20) that concedes the fewest goals (25 in 22 games) and its Lecce is showing a performance that exceeds expectations, being the recently promoted with the least budget: they take +7 points out of permanence. In the case of Baschirotto, also, with enormous merit: he was a right back. This season is being released as central continuously. And he is here to stay.
A dominant physical power… and a high level
Although the physique is what most attracts attention in Federico Baschirotto, his numbers accompany him. A worked body would be of no use if he did not respond later on the field. But he does. And he already dreams of going to the Italian team, where he was already in a winter stage organized by Mancini a few weeks ago.
Baschirotto is the best header in Europe after Doekhi (Union Berlin) in the TOP-5 European leagues. Equated with Militao or Smalling. The Italian has scored three goals with his head. In addition, he is the Serie A footballer with the most successful clearances for Calcio: 102. Far ahead of the next. To give him more credit, he is above average in his position: He saves 5.1 balls per game when the average for Serie A central defenders is 3.5, wins 76% of the duels when the average is 64% and is dribbled 0.1 times every 90′ when the average is at 0.5.
I work with more and more commitment because the level has risen and if I want to stay at this level I have to continue like this
“Nothing has changed for me. I am always the same, I take care of everything more and more, I work with more and more commitment. Because the level has risen and if I want to stay at this level I have to continue like this,” Baschirotto himself acknowledged in ‘La Gazzetta dello Sport’. A capacity for sacrifice that has led him to the elite. “Determination is my greatest asset. The secret is to keep having faith even when you want to say enough is enough”confess.
Federico Baschirotto celebrates a goal with el Lecce.
Career from under-Calcio
Federico Baschirotto’s career is a survival football career. To keep trying when everything indicates that you will never reach professionalism. Without going further, When he was a kid and went to Legnago, in Serie D, he had a traffic accident before his first training session. He was riding a motorcycle and collided with a car. Nothing serious happened to him, luckily. After the first match with the youth team, they called him up with the first team. He had fascinated them.
Then he went to the Cremonese youth academy, now in Serie A and a Coppa semifinalist but at that time in Serie C. He lived in a seminary and graduated in accounting. At that time the gym was already something “mandatory” for him although professionalism was still far away.
In July 2021, Ascoli paid Viterbese (Series C) 200,000 euros for his signing. Until then he was a Serie C or Serie D player. Nothing more. He made his debut in Serie B with Andrea Sottil (now Udinese coach) and lasted one season in the silver category. In July 2022, Lecce paid 350,000 euros to Ascoli for his signing to make his debut in Serie A at the age of 26.
his father’s farm
Baschirotto could have worked on his father’s farm if something had gone wrong in his soccer career. Which wouldn’t have been strange. The percentage of players who reach the elite is small. There, in Veneto, he continues to lend a hand when football allows him, along with his three brothers. In the pandemic, during the break, he was helping, for example. His father remembers him in an interview with Gianluca Di Marzio.
Federico Baschirotto, with his family on his father’s farm.
When he wasn’t playing soccer he always helped out, loading and unloading the pigs from the truck.
“When I wasn’t playing football I was always helping out, loading and unloading the pigs from the truck, for example. It’s not an easy job. And also had enrolled at the University of Parma in the course of zootechnical sciences and animal production technologies”declares.
Baschirotto the emblem of a Lecce full of heart and humility
“It is the emblem of a Lecce full of heart and humility. It represents our values”, declares Sticchi, the owner of Lecce. Another confessed follower of ‘Baschirotto-mania’.
