In his life, taste has always made a difference. First what he felt on the pitch behind the house, between games that never ended and little big dreams cradled in the provinces. Then the taste for victories alongside those who already were an example and then became even greater. Finally, that of his second life, in the cafeteria and in the open sea. Paolo Baldieri left Lecce, where he raced with the yellow and red colors on his shoulders, the same ones defended in Rome in the 83rd Scudetto year under the gaze of Nils Liedholm, on the pitch alongside Carlo Ancelotti and Bruno Conti. Paolo Rossi was a model, Antonio Conte is still a good friend to have a chat with in his Lecce over a good coffee. Today Baldieri does not make plans, but listens to his heart and his need to teach something to those around him.
Paul, what are you doing today in your life?
I detached myself from the world of football. When I stopped playing, I took coaching courses. I was in the Federation for seven years, I worked in the national youth teams. I remember my formative years in Rome, our programs still run on the sites of the Federation. Then I gave up everything. My children were small and I didn’t want to start wandering around Italy. So I watched them grow up.
How was your feeling with Lecce born?
I played there from 91 ‘to 95’. When I stopped playing, I left Lecce and spent seven years in Ladispoli. Then I got involved with some friends. The houses in the historic center of Lecce were beginning to attract interest. We bought, restructured, sold. I returned to follow this activity. I took my family down. My children are fine. My wife is from Rome and has suffered a bit instead. I’m Roman too: I like to go back to my city, maybe stay there a week, I can’t do more.
How did the idea of investing in artisanal ice cream come about?
I started this business to give my children a job opportunity. In 2012 there was a deep crisis in the construction world, so I took the place we own today. I want to know how to intervene when something is wrong. If the ice cream remains shiny, it means that the sugars are not well balanced: to know this you need to have studied. Knowing everything is a sign of competence. It wasn’t easy. We met with people accustomed to semi-finished, industrial tastes. It is difficult to impose something outside of habits.
Everything you can do in a coffee shop. We have the pastry department, then we prepare aperitifs. Our coffee is excellent, when it happens I do it at the counter. One of my sons fell in love with this job. I taste what’s there, then fix what’s wrong. When we opened, I was everywhere. I washed dishes and cups, I was also in the laboratory. I spent my time talking to customers. I tried to sense people’s moods by being outside. It’s like being on the bench: applause and whistles are better heard.
I still follow him. But another passion changed my life. As a child I dreamed of having a fishing rod in my hands on a float. Growing up I learned a lot of new things. I have had a boat for three years and have taken many people fishing. I retired, I left my children in the club, I dedicated myself to the sea. I have found that I like to know things and teach others what I know.
How was born a footballer? Who brought the ball home?
Dad put the ball in my walker. With my left foot I tried to hit him. I started touching the ball earlier than walking. I lived in Ladispoli on the outskirts of Rome, in front of the sports field. Growing up in a country was fortunate. In the summer the first game began at two in the afternoon, the second at four, the third at six. There were three pitches within five hundred meters. I was always outnumbered, sometimes I played with two less. In the end, I always ran for two.
A dream! My father was a Romanist, my mother too. The first match I saw at the Olympic stadium was Lazio-Vicenza. That afternoon I discovered Paolo Rossi: he was 18-19 years old. That day Vicenza won 3-1 with a hat-trick from Rossi. It was the wrath of God. It was good to face Paul a few years later.
How was your impact with the world of Rome?
When I arrived I was doing 10-15 dribbles. The first calls to the first team made me grow. Dribbling was a favorite weapon of coach Nils Liedholm. I saw next to me Falcão and Bruno Conti, people who knew how to handle the ball. They have been a stimulus for me. Shortly after my arrival, I too was doing more dribbles than before. I stole some secrets from those champions.
What do you remember of the Scudetto won in 83 ‘?
That year I started going to the first team. Liedholm called me because I was very fast. I was the perfect man to raise the team: I was leaving and nobody took me anymore. I remember the clashes with Pietro Vierchowod. Then Agostino Di Bartolomei: he wasn’t fast, but he had a great sense of position.
What coach was Liedholm instead?
When we finished training he asked us to stay and train on the shots on goal. The coach wanted me to always kick at Franco Tancredi’s far post. Once I scored on the first one and he got mad. According to him, the keeper knew where I was going to shoot. I had to hit the first with nastiness. He was right.
What companion was Carlo Ancelotti?
A real show. I also remember with pleasure Aldo Maldera who took me to the hairdresser. Luisa Gibellini, Ancelotti’s ex-wife, doted on me. He always had a good word, he gave me lots of advice. He was a bright and likeable, ironic man. Carlo took football seriously, I cheerfully. For me it was like when I went to the pitch. I kept that spirit, but I wasn’t superficial.
When did you decide to quit?
One day I came home and announced it to my wife: she asked me if I was crazy. I had suffered too many injuries. I didn’t want to steal my salary or have any other problems. I said enough at 32.
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