As the 2022 World Cup captivates global audiences, a quieter football story unfolds in Rome’s Corviale suburb. Despite Italy’s absence from the tournament, grassroots passion for the sport thrives here—and it’s rewriting futures.
Corviale’s Legacy of Struggle
The neighborhood’s serpentine ‘Serpentone’ housing complex, built in the 1970s, houses over 6,000 residents grappling with unemployment, limited education, and generational inequality. For local youth, opportunities often feel as distant as Italy’s World Cup ambitions.
Where Goals Go Beyond the Pitch
Enter Calciosociale: a community project using football to teach teamwork, resilience, and accountability. Weekly matches and training sessions blend sport with life skills, helping teens navigate challenges from conflict resolution to career planning. \"Football becomes our shared language,\" says 14-year-old participant Giulia Rossi*. \"We learn to fight—but for each other.\"
*Name changed for privacy
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
