March 5, 2021
Calcio Storico is a very popular sport for the Italians, an ancient game dating back to the 15th century. Unlike most sports, though, it only takes place in Florence, Italy. You also must be born in Florence to compete in it. There are four teams, each representing Florence’s original historical neighborhoods: Santa Maria Novella (Reds), Santa Croce (Blues), Santo Spirito (Whites) and San Giovanni (Greens). The catch is that not everyone can play this sport; you must be born in an original neighborhood to compete in it. All players are volunteers, meaning they make no money from playing this sport. The real prize is the pride that you bring to your hometown if you win. This is very important to the Italian players and helps to drive their competitive edge, going in with the mentality of “No Mercy!” This sport is recognized as a dangerous sport, “It’s a mix of rugby, MMA soccer and American Football,” said Alessandro Gargani, a former Calcio player. Another