Igor Protti: A heartfelt farewell from Giorgio Chiellini’s former teammate

Giorgio Chiellini, former captain of Juventus and the Italian national team—but in this case, above all, a former Livorno player—also paid tribute on Instagram to Igor Protti, who died yesterday at the age of 58.

“Hi Igor, it’s not easy to find the right words, because what you meant to me goes beyond what can be put into writing. I met you when I was a child; you were my idol and captain. For so many years, you were truly like an older brother to that group. One of those people who help you grow without you even realizing it, who give you so much not through long speeches, but through their daily example. And you never stopped being there for me—more during the hard times than during the happy ones—because even from afar, you could sense when I needed you. I owe you so much. In so many of my choices and attitudes, there’s something you’ve left within me.”

“It hurts to say goodbye to you, because there are certain people you’d always want by your side. But at the same time, I know that what you’ve given me remains, and it’s something I carry with me every day. Thank you so much for everything, Igor. For who you’ve been and for who you’ll continue to be to me,” concluded the former defender, now a Juventus executive.