The “viral striker” puts retirement on hold: a new team at age 41

Antonio Picci, despite having turned 41 on August 19, has no intention whatsoever of retiring from soccer. The striker, who became a social media sensation a few years ago following an interview on a local TV station—which, due to its “dramatic” nature, went viral across Italy (“I’m overjoyed and exhausted,” “Two months ago, not even my mother wanted me” are just a few of the quotes that went viral), has in fact reached an agreement with Football Club CDS, a newly formed team in Lazio’s Third Division.

Picci, born in 1985 in Bari, is a “globetrotter” of the lower leagues, even though his career began in the Biancorossi youth system: from there, he played for Pro Vasto, Vittoria, Vigor Lamezia, Brindisi, Castel San Pietro Terme, Pomigliano, HinterReggio, Martina, Brescia, Barletta, Matera, Francavilla Calcio, Matelica, Virtus Francavilla, Turris, Gravina, Bitonto, Trani, Rosetana, Città dei Sassi Matera, Lodigiani, Fucina, and Ausonia.

“Bomber Picci” also experienced a dark chapter during his long career: a one-year-and-eight-month suspension, handed down at the end of August 2020, for match-fixing. After his long hiatus, however, his career has resumed with great vigor in the regional leagues, even though his “virality” has waned considerably in recent times, despite a few attempts to revive his fame through ventures such as those in the Kings League.

Now comes his new venture with Football Club CDS, a club founded in the summer of 2026 that is starting from the very bottom of Italian soccer, the regional Third Division. For Picci, this marks his twenty-fourth senior club in a career that has spanned over twenty years.