Dedication, Not Dolls

Valentina Giacinti, Italy

My name is Valentina Giacinti. I started playing football at the age of six. I have always loved football. My parents became aware of my passion when I received birthday presents. Everyone gave me dolls to play with, but I took off their heads and played football with them. From there my parents enrolled me in a football school in the village and I started my journey playing with the boys. 

At the age of 12, Atalanta (in Bergamo) called me and I played in all the youth teams up to Serie A. At 18 I moved to Naples where I played my first year in the top flight. It was the season where I grew a lot both in terms of football and as a human. At first it was difficult because I was away from home but then everything went great. That summer I spent two months in the United States, where I met my "American family". We still hang out, they come to visit whenever they can.

Then I did five years in Mozzanica, one in Brescia and then there was the move to Milan where I spent four intense years. The worst moment of my career I can say was in 2022, where to change something, grow and raise the bar as captain I had to clash with the coach. I went through difficult months, so after the confrontation I chose to leave for my personal growth and for my health.

What are the opportunities and challenges for women’s footballers in Italy? What changes have you seen in women’s football since you started playing?

In Italy we have been professionals for a short while, but it is a very important milestone. For the last few years important organisations such as Juventus, Roma, and Inter Milan have made improvements by offering us the possibility of training in suitable sports centres and allowing us to train in the morning. Years ago training was at 8pm in the evening on frozen fields. Now we can dedicate ourselves to football and be able to grow further.

What does football and representing your country mean to you? What are your personal ambitions for the future?

Representing my country is a source of pride and satisfaction for me. When you wear this shirt you feel so many emotions that are sometimes indescribable. In the future I would like to win something with the national team.

What does the future look like for women's football? What do you want/expect to change after the 2023 Women’s World Cup?

I am sure the future of women's football will always be better. You have to work day after day and never take anything for granted. We must not be satisfied with what we have achieved but continue to fight for our dreams. After the World Cup I expect to see more people at the stadiums.