The president of the Italian Footballers’ Association Damiano Tommasi is set to make a shock comeback with San Marino side La Fiorita after agreeing to represent the Sammarinese club against Liechtenstein’s finest Vaduz in the Europa League’s first round of qualification.
The 41-year-old hung up his boots six years ago following a spell in China with Tianjin Teda and is looking forward to the challenge of playing again whilst giving his children the opportunity to watch him live.
“I’m emotional and it will be a chance for my kids to see me play, seeing as I’ve not been on the international stage for some years now” said Tommasi at an event held by his organisation to promote management work for retired footballers.
“I’m in form and I can’t wait to experience this adventure.
“I’m in training, this is a new challenge for me, we’re all hoping to be ready for these two fixtures.
“It’s a challenge that La Fiorita have given me the chance to experience all over again.
“I’ve been looking forward to this Europa League draw for ages now.
“Let’s hope that this will be a beautiful adventure and that I can add another chapter to my football career.”
La Fiorita host Vaduz on July 2 with the return in Liechtenstein coming a week later in the principality.
Despite being from Liechtenstein, Vaduz currently compete in the Swiss league but it should still be a matter of national pride as the Residenzler have the opportunity to make amends for the national side’s 1-0 defeat to San Marino in 2004 which is the only international victory in the history of the tiny mountaintop nation.
