Roberto di Maio: The Age-Defying Journey of San Marino’s Footballing Veteran

In the world of professional football, players often reach their peak in their mid-20s and retire by their early 30s. However, there are exceptions, and one such remarkable exception is San Marino’s defender, Roberto di Maio. At the age of 41, he is still going strong and creating history with his dedication to the sport.

Di Maio’s incredible journey began when he made his senior international debut for San Marino during their Euro 2024 qualifier against Northern Ireland in March. What makes this achievement truly exceptional is that he became the oldest player to make his senior international debut in UEFA competition, aged 40 years and 193 days.

The outcome of the match, a 2-0 loss, was hardly surprising given San Marino’s status as international football’s rank minnows. With 132 consecutive games without a win and a last-place position (207th) in the FIFA world rankings, they face enormous challenges. But for di Maio, it’s not about the outcome on the scoreboard; it’s about the pride and passion of playing international football for his nation.

Di Maio’s connection with San Marino is deeply rooted. He settled in the tiny, mountainous republic, surrounded by Italy, in 2003. It was there that he met his wife, Cristina, one of the 33,700 Sammarinese citizens, while playing domestic football. This marked the beginning of a journeyman career that saw him play over 560 games, including stints in Serie B with Nocerina and spells with Lecce and Catanzaro.

In January 2023, di Maio was officially naturalized as a Sammarinese citizen after meeting the 10-year marriage requirement, along with an additional year’s delay due to administrative reasons. Currently, he plies his trade for SS Cosmos in San Marino’s amateur league championship, a testament to his love for the game.

What sets San Marino apart is the fact that only two of their national squad members are professional footballers. The rest have jobs as diverse as car salesmen, accountants, and painter-decorators, or are attending university. They don’t play for money; they play for the passion they have for football and their homeland.

Di Maio’s commitment extends beyond the pitch. He works at the country’s football federation as an academy coach, where he oversees the under-17 team. This unique situation means that he often trains alongside some of his former pupils. It’s a reminder of the incredible journey he has undertaken in San Marino.

The challenges for San Marino are evident, especially when they face top-tier and second-tier teams in international competitions. Mentally, they prepare for defensive games and understand that a strong focus, teamwork, and sacrifice are essential to achieve a positive result, even if it means losing by a smaller margin.

San Marino’s history in international football is marked by a single victory, a 1-0 win against Liechtenstein in 2004. The players and staff are hopeful that they can create more moments of joy in the future, despite the challenges they face. While they often play against top-ranked teams in qualifiers, there is hope for better outcomes in the Nations League, where they may face teams closer to their level.

The road ahead is undoubtedly challenging, especially when faced with teams like Northern Ireland, who will be strong favorites to win. However, di Maio believes that by exploiting the expectations and nerves of their opponents, they may find a way to secure a positive result. Their abject record has led to questions about their presence in international competitions, but di Maio firmly believes in the right of all nations, regardless of their size, to compete in football.

With a population smaller than that of Accrington, San Marino has inherent limitations, but di Maio sees the potential for progress through youth development and sending players to Italy to gain professional experience. Positive changes are being made from within, and there is hope for a brighter future.

As for di Maio’s own future, he remains focused on enjoying every moment in San Marino’s sky-blue kit. He hopes to inspire people with his passion and dedication, demonstrating that age should not be a barrier to pursuing one’s dreams. For now, he takes it one day at a time, one match at a time, and continues to love the game that has defined his remarkable journey.