I’ve been lucky enough to attend some incredible matches over the last few months — Real Madrid games, Juventus games — and the emotions I felt were unforgettable. But there’s another team I’ve watched even more often. A team considerably smaller than these giants of football, yet one that still manages to make me feel something just as strong.
I’m from a small town in the province of Reggio Calabria called Melito di Porto Salvo. And as you all know, football in Italy is huge — almost a religion. So of course, even in my little town, we have our own team: ASD Melito.
You’ve probably never heard of it (fair enough), but trust me: they have their fans, and I’m proudly one of them.
They even have their own stadium. It’s nothing like the Bernabéu, obviously, but for a small Calabrian town, it’s already something special.
Whenever they play, the stands fill up with parents, friends, ultras, and regular supporters. And the noise they make? You can hear it all the way from the pitch. Some of them even travel to follow the team away.
In Melito, football is a big deal.
Last weekend I went back home, and coincidentally, ASD Melito had a match on Saturday.
While I was in the car with my dad, I jokingly told him that after photographing a Castilla match, I was basically a professional now — ready to work for the team.
I was obviously joking.
He, however, didn’t take it as one.
Two days later, I had a camera in my hands and someone patiently teaching me how to use it.
It wasn’t a real job or anything connected to university, but I still felt a bit of pressure. In the end everything went surprisingly well, and I even got compliments on the photos.
The best part, though, was being so close to the players and the bench.
I could hear everything: the frustration when something went wrong, the excitement when a play worked, all the emotions that never reach the stands. Capturing those moments made me feel oddly special — like I was part of something bigger.
This season hasn’t been great for them, and Saturday’s match was against the team at the top of the table.
Expectations were low.
But they didn’t lose. They drew, 1–1.
You should have seen their faces — the players were glowing with pride. And when I turned around, I saw that same happiness reflected in the fans. For a moment, it felt like the whole town was celebrating.
In the end, everything went well: the match, my little “job”, and the experience itself.
Honestly?
I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.
So… thank you, Dad, for taking my joke way too seriously.
