Poi Bo.
The two words Western United captain Alessandro Diamanti lives by.
The phrase – which can perhaps be likened to Hanuka Matata – means to “enjoy the moment” or that’s at least what it means to the 36-year-old.
“Poi bo is like enjoying the moment…because you don’t know what’s happening after,” was the 36-year-old’s translation of the phrase.
But things weren’t always smooth sailing for the Italian international – who was faced with a tough decision during the 2009/10 season.
After signing a four-year contract with West Ham United in the Premier League, Diamanti made the decision to move to Brescia to increase his chances of receiving an Italy call-up – a move he says was his “biggest regret.”
“I played in many top clubs with beautiful supporters. It’s not easy to pick one,” he told FNR’s Calcio Talk.
“If I really have to pick, I’d say Livorno and West Ham. [West Ham] because it was my first experience outside of Italy. It is maybe the biggest regret in my life leaving West Ham.
“My dream was to play for the national team, after a one beautiful season [at West Ham] the coach Marcello Lippi never called me for the national team.
“Back then [for] players playing outside Serie A it was very hard to get a call up I don’t remember anyone. I chose to go back to Italy, signed up with Brescia and after a few games got called up.”
Diamanti scored seven goals in 28 appearances for West Ham before successful spells at Brescia and Bologna earned him a call up to the Italian squad for the 2012 European Cup.
It was Diamanti’s left-footed penalty past Joe Hart in the quarter final shoot-out against England which saw Italy advance to the semi-final in a famous win.
“I ran to Gigi [Buffon] because he is a big star, he’s the big captain,” he said.
“When all my teammates ran towards me it was beautiful because we started the Euro with big problems in Italy.
“That particular year was a very hard year, very similar to 2006 for the World Cup because Italy had problems. They had everyone against them. They closed themselves, became a very hard group and went all the way to the final.”
Now in Australia, Diamanti has become a fan-favourite across the league with fans mesmerised by his movements on the pitch and off the field, where he has integrated a new kind of flair to Australian football social media.
“Western United called me and they showed the project and many things about Australia,” he said.
“It was very easy for me; it was a poi bo moment. The decision was simple, another season in Serie A would not make a difference to my career but coming to Australia would mean bringing the kids to a different country learn to English, see the world [and] try different things.”
Featured Image: Getty Images
