Interview with the ex italian football player and goldsmith Gianfranco Quartaroli

Gianfranco Quartaroli is not only the founder of the Circuiti Jewels brand,the italian artist was a professional football player.

Gianfranco where did you start your football career?

I started in the youth sectors of Torino Football Club and Novara Football Club. 

I started training and playing “seriously” in the A.C.Mantova at the age of 16.

After Mantua i went to Ravenna Football Club,the year in which i met my best friend and top player Marco Nappi ex Genoa,Atalanta,Fiorentina,Udinese.

1984-85 season,that year we won the championship.

I remember that we had several luxury match with A.C.Milan by Nils Liedholm,F.C. Bologna,Cesena,Arrigo Sacchi’s Rimini.

With Bologna we won 4-1 in front of 10.000 spectators,3 goals Marco Nappi and my goal at the top corner.

After Ravenna a series of unfortunate circumstances meant that instead of ending up in the company of athletes in Bologna,i ended up in the Battalion Alpini Susa in Pinerolo for military service;unfortunately the captain of the barracks,who hated football,decided not to give me more permissions to ho to train and consequently i made few appearances.

After Pinerolo i moved to F.C.Savona and the following year my agent i went to play in Sicily in Mazara del Vallo.

Another great experience,initially i had some difficulties because not used to playing without grass.Every sunday there were from 2 to 5 thousand spectators,we played in Caltanissetta,Ragusa,Palermo,Gela,Acireale,Enna.

Then F.C.Biellese and how can i forget the experience in Castiglione delle Stiviere sponsored by Pata where i was lucky enough to play in a friendly match with S.S.Napoli in front of over 6.000 people against pibe de oro Diego Armando Maradona.

You played with some non-italian football player?

Yes,of course,the year of Savona i particulary linked with a great brazilian midfielder Carlos Alberto Amaro knows as Carlinhos former temmeate of Toninho Cerezo in Atletico Mineiro,a phenomenon he scored from the corner.

Have you ever had idols?

Yes,of course,like all children who approach the game of football,i too had my idols. The peculiarity is that i have always been attracted to footballers who are little naive and rock,with long hair,in Italy Ezio Vendrame and Gianfranco Zigoni and the two argentines Mario Kempes and Claudio Paul Caniggia.

Who is the current footballer you most resemble?

Without any doubt two in particular,the french star Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius of Real Madrid are the players with the physical and technical characteristics similar to mine.

Did you still stay in the world of football and the end of you career?

I stopped playing at the age of 38 and remained in the football as Sports Director for 5 years,but then i had to leave because work up most my time,i also opened the first and only souvenir shop in Novara at the foot the San Gaudenzio Dome,however i always follow football and sport in general,often the source of inspiration for my jewels.