For ten years, he has been a discreet but constant presence in the Bianconeri dressing room. Vittorio Bruni Prenestino – known to everyone simply as 'Vito' – is the masseur for FC Lugano's first team, a figure who over time has become much more than just a professional at the service of the players: he is a daily point of reference, combining expertise, listening skills and great humanity.
On 24 January, before the match against FC Winterthur in Cornaredo, the club wanted to celebrate this milestone by rewarding Vito for his ten years of service in black and white. It was a special moment, experienced in front of the home crowd and full of meaning for someone like him, who spends every day in the dressing room away from the spotlight. It was
very satisfying, he says, because after working for FC Lugano for ten years, being rewarded is always a pleasant thing.
Looking back, Bruni describes his journey with simplicity and the smile of someone who has had an intense experience. It's been ten very fast, very enjoyable years, with great satisfaction and important goals achieved together with the team.
Among his most vivid memories of his early days with Juventus is meeting one of Lugano's most iconic coaches. The first day of work was quite tense, he says, because I was arriving in a new world and found myself face to face with someone like Zeman, whom I had always seen in the newspapers or on television. The initial tension did not last long: He is a wonderful person and immediately put me at ease.
Over the years, Bruni has worked with several coaches, always establishing great collaborative relationships. Among them is his current coach, Mattia Croci-Torti, whom he has known for a long time. I first met him fifteen years ago, when he was a player in Chiasso. Then I found him here, first as an assistant and then as a coach. We have a wonderful friendship: I support him and he supports me..
While his job is to take care of the players from a physical point of view, the relationship that develops in the dressing room often goes beyond the professional aspect. I always try to get along with everyone and be friends with everyone, he explains. The massage table thus also becomes a place for dialogue, where players confide in each other and share thoughts and experiences. Many are far from home and also need someone to listen to them. It is no coincidence that, over time, a true friendship has developed with some of them, such as Fabio Daprelà, Mattia Bottani and Jonathan Sabbatini.
Behind the first team's masseur is a figure who, day after day, contributes to life in the dressing room with professionalism, discretion and great humanity. It is a role that is often far from the spotlight, but fundamental to the team's daily routine.