The Paradox of Italian Sports: Dominance in Many Disciplines, Except... Football

When discussing Italian sports, football is often considered the greatest pride with four World Cup titles. However, over the past decade, while volleyball, tennis, motorsports,... have flourished, the Azzurri have been in a prolonged decline.

1. Italian volleyball nearly dominates the world. The men's team has won two consecutive world championships, while the women's team is also the reigning world champion. Not only successful at the national team level, Italy's domestic league system is among the strongest on the planet, serving as the foundation for sustainable development.

Italian tennis is also entering a golden era, with the brightest highlight undoubtedly being Jannik Sinner. This player, who recently completed the Sunshine Double, is the top rival to Carlos Alcaraz in the post-Big Three era. Additionally, Lorenzo Musetti and Jasmine Paolini give Italy a rare depth of talent, evenly spread across both men's and women's events. This is something Italian tennis has never had in the past.

In Formula 1 motorsport, Kimi Antonelli is emerging as a symbol of the new generation. With an explosive start, this 19-year-old driver is considered a strong candidate for major titles in the future. Moreover, recent achievements at the Winter Olympics also clearly reflect the multi-sport strength of this Southern European nation, as they won up to 10 gold medals and ranked within the top 4 overall.

2. Conversely, Italian football is experiencing the most disappointing period in its modern history. Having won the World Cup four times and being a symbol of defensive artistry and tactical thinking, the Italian national team has repeatedly disappointed. They have missed the last three World Cups – a scenario almost unimaginable a decade ago. Even as the tournament expands to 48 teams and Europe has 16 slots, they still missed out. This indicates that the problem of Italian football is no longer temporary but a systemic crisis.

There are many reasons explaining this paradox, and most stem from the structure of the football system itself. While Germany, France, and England continuously improve coaching methods, Italian football has been slow to adapt. Traditional tactical thinking – once a strength – has now become a barrier as modern football demands speed, physicality, and comprehensive pressing ability.

Next is the decline of Serie A, a league that was once number one in the world but no longer maintains its former appeal. Many clubs prioritize using experienced foreign players instead of giving opportunities to domestic young talents, increasingly limiting the supply for the national team. After the golden generation with global icons, Italian football has not produced individuals of sufficient influence to make a difference. The national team therefore lacks the element of surprise in crucial matches.

And one must also mention the internal competition among sports. When volleyball, tennis, or Olympic sports develop strongly, young talents no longer automatically choose football. The dispersion of resources causes football to gradually lose its exclusive position.

3. It is noteworthy that Italy's successful sports are following a completely different path compared to football. They focus on systematic youth training, long-term investment, and especially are not afraid to change. Sports federations operate efficiently, are less influenced by local interests, and create maximum conditions for athletes to develop. Meanwhile, Italian football remains heavily influenced by club structures, commercial interests, and conservative thinking. The lack of coordination between levels makes the reform process sluggish.

Without strong and systemic reforms, Italian football could continue to fall behind, even be left far behind by the sports systems it once stood above. Are they ready to change before it's too late?