It's Only One Leg Less
The Italian national amputee football team at the 2022 World Cup
October 2022
"When we play, people no longer see what we are missing, but what we give, what we show." — Lorenzo "Lollo" Marcantognini
In 2012, 14-year-old Francesco Messori set up the Facebook page "Calcio Amputati Italia" to find others who shared his passion for football despite living with limb loss. That simple post sparked the birth of the Italian national amputee football team.
A decade later, at the World Cup in Turkey, Italy competed alongside 24 international squads, achieving a historic milestone by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.
Finalist, Siena International Photo Awards 2023.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 6, 2022.
Players of the Italian national amputee football team standing during the national anthem before their match.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 7, 2022.
An Italian amputee football player lacing his boot before the start of a game at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 1, 2022.
The team physiotherapist giving final massages to Italian amputee football players before the start of a match.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 7, 2022.
Players of the Italian national amputee football team gathering for a pre-match ritual before their game at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 6, 2022.
A young fan watching the Italian national amputee football team in action at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 5, 2022.
Spare crutches resting beside the Italian team's bench during a match at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — September 30, 2022.
Players of the Italian national amputee football team taking part in a final training session before the start of the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 9, 2022.
Lorenzo Marcantognini of Italy in action during the match against Tanzania at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 2, 2022.
Italian amputee football players celebrating following their decisive win to reach the knockout stage at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — September 30, 2022.
Italian player Francesco 'Messi' Messori stretching at the end of a training session during the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — September 30, 2022.
An overhead view of the Italian national amputee football team training at the Hasan Doğan National Teams Camp and Training Facilities.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 6, 2022.
Italian goalkeeper Daniel Priami focusing before the start of a match at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 2, 2022.
Emanuele 'Lele' Padoan of Italy attempting a volley shot during the match against Argentina.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 5, 2022.
Italian players Daniel Priami, Lorenzo Marcantognini, and Francesco Messori celebrating their victory over Iraq, marking Italy's historic first qualification for the quarter-finals at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 2, 2022.
Italian player Francesco 'Messi' Messori on the team bus returning to the hotel after the second group-stage match at the Amputee Football World Cup.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 9, 2022.
An Angolan player scoring a goal from a free kick during the Amputee Football World Cup final.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 9, 2022.
Turkish and Angolan supporters in the stands during the Amputee Football World Cup final.
Istanbul, Turkey — October 9, 2022.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan presenting the trophy to the Turkish national amputee football team after defeating Angola 2-1 to win the Amputee Football World Cup.
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