FOOTBALL4GOOD MAGAZINE - DECEMBER 2019

our lives and the differences. I try to do something global, because 99% do something for local charities. This is a step bigger and more difficult, but as Eniola said we have many things to do in order to raise our- selves. It is not easy and not a small step but if we think two years ago and where we are now, the goal is achievable. ENIOLA : I think that, from the age of ten, I’ve loved being part of a team. As a football player, I’ve always been part of a team. So, the idea of collec- tive philanthropy with Common Goal makes sense. You are a team. You are a massive team that are doing good for the world. I really liked the idea of doing this collectively with so many other players that I know. With Giorgio and I also know Pernille Harder, I know Magda Eriksson, I played with her at Chelsea…obvi- ously Juan Mata, I’m a big fan of…So, there’s a lot of players that I’m seeing who are with Common Goal that I think, ‘I want to be your teammate and be by your side.’ But aside from that, it’s about the organisations that Common Goal is aligned with. I am very passionate about clean water, and empower- ment of women and gender equal- ity. So, the fact that Common Goal works with some of the organisa- tions that deal with those issues, I would like to be a part of that, because those are the things that I am passionate about. WE LIVE IN A WORLD THAT SEEMS TO BE INCREASINGLY DIVIDED AND POLARISED; AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE A POWERFUL TOOL, FOOTBALL, THAT REACHES HALF OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION AND THAT HAS THE POWER TO UNITE AND INSPIRE PEOPLE LIKE NOTHING DOES. WHAT ROLE DO YOU SEE FOR COMMON GOAL IN THE YEARS TO COME? ENIOLA : We have to look at why those things are happening…why there is an increase in populism, racism, fascism. And I think they are coming from government, they are coming from world leaders and the way to change it is to engage gov- ernment. And I know the UN Charter is part of the objective of Common Goal. I think politics has played a big part in why all this stuff is happen- ing. The things politicians are saying has played a big part in why these things are happening in terms of the division between people. “SOMETIMES I THINK WHAT MAKES PLAYERS REALLY, REALLY GOOD IS THE DEVIL INSIDE THEM. LOOK AT SOMEONE LIKE SUAREZ – HE PLAYS ON THE EDGE. OK, IF HE DOES THIS OUTSIDE THE PITCH MAYBE YOU SAY HE’S A BAD PERSON BUT YOU ALSO NEED THIS. FOR ME AS A STRIKER I NEED TO FEEL RUTHLESS.” Eniola Aluko Near right: Eniola Aluko playing for her most recent team Juventus F.C. Women. She left the club at the end of November. Far right: President Sergio Mattarella de- livers the Italian Cup to Giorgio Chiellini, captain of Juventus, winner of the 2015- 16 Coppa Italia. So, we can be an example as Common Goal, as a collective of players from all different backgrounds and all different levels. And if we engage with government and say, “Actually, you are creating a negative feeling around the world and look at what we are doing,” then that can create a shift. GIORGIO : I think the problem is also the rise of poverty because the problem in Italy, but also in the rest of Europe, is that the economic situation is worse than ten years ago and people don’t have a job and they think it is the fault of someone else. It’s easier to blame someone else. And now the government is rais- ing this kind of person and surely Common Goal can help others to understand we are all together and are all the same. ENIOLA : One of the things that frustrates me is that there is a big gap between players and decision makers. You have players on one side who are very powerful in terms of our voice, in terms of our platform and then you have decision makers on the other side – some of whom have never played the game – and they are making decisions that affect players and society. GIORGIO : We have to create a man- agement class who have played the game and can also understand the problems and can find ways to solve them and not just by reading a book but by living it. You have to under- stand that you finish the career and you don’t know anything. It can be hard for players to be at the top and then go back to the beginning in a new career. I don’t know about the other things in the footballing world and in socie- ty, so I have to study so much to get to those positions, so for players it is hard. After we start our “second life”, everything changes. ENIOLA : That’s why it is so impor- tant to study when you are playing and to learn and not to think you know everything because when you finish playing you can continue this career, but with the knowledge and the ability to understand what is happening in the world. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNG PLAYERS ENTERING THE GAME, ESPECIALLY ABOUT BEING AN ATHLETE WITH A PURPOSE? GIORGIO : I only have one sugges- tion. Do everything with passion and balance. These are the two ingredi- ents that I think are most important. Surely you don’t have to be scared to become a player but it’s not the only aim or target. You have to try and im- prove every day. You have to live your life in order to arrive at your 100% ENIOLA : I think the most important characteristic for me is humility because, without it, you will think you have arrived and you don’t need to do anything. For me, the best players in the world – Ronaldo and Messi – they have the humility to say, “I can keep improving and I will reach another level.” And, then using their platform – some players don’t want to do this and they might be shy or don’t think they are a good talker – but, as Giorgio said, if you are 100% of yourself, people are inspired by this and people see this and want to be the same as you, so you have to give everything and always try to be the best version of yourself. GIORGIO CHIELLINI BORN: 14 TH AUGUST 1984 IN PISA, ITALY CURRENT TEAMS: JUVENTUS F.C. , ITALYNATIONAL TEAM (DEFENDER) ENIOLA ALUKO BORN: 21 ST FEBRUARY 1987 IN LAGOS, NIGERIA LATEST CLUB: JUVENTUS F.C. WOMEN (FORWARD) 30 31 FOOTBALL4GOODMAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2019 ACONVERSATIONWITH GIORGIOCHIELLINI &ENIOLA ALUKO