Former AC Milan defender believes Saudi Arabia will host 'best World Cup ever'

Al Nassr youth coach Luca Antonini says future bright for country as he joins legends Totti, Trezeguet and Gomez for 'Sharjah Week of the Stars'

Amid the cacophony of camera flashes and loud gasps and excited whispers, Francesco Totti arrived at the press conference unveiling “Sharjah’s Week of the Stars”. Running late but smiling from ear to ear, Totti absorbed the affection of the assembled press before uttering his gratitude. Roma and Italy legend Totti may be one of the most famous names in football but in a room packed with legendary figures of the beautiful game, it was difficult to know where to look.

Alongside him on the panel sat David Trezeguet, Juventus legend, one-time Baniyas striker and scorer of the golden goal that won France the European Championship over Totti’s Italy in 2000. Then there was Papu Gomez smiling alongside them, a player who delighted spectators with his creativity and brilliance in Atalanta’s attack, helping to put the small Bergamo club on the map.

Sharjah Week of the Stars returns for its third edition this week, highlighted by Saturday’s friendly match that will feature former stars including Paolo Maldini and Rivaldo alongside Totti, Trezeguet and Gomez.

Saudi Arabia winning the right to host the 2034 World Cup was a hot topic among the assembled alumni. Trezeguet wasn’t surprised that the World Cup was returning to the Middle East for a second edition, noting how the region has grown considerably as a hub for major international sporting events.

Luca Antonini, the former AC Milan defender now in charge of Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr’s Under 17s, believes Saudi Arabia will host “the best World Cup ever”.

Antonini won the Serie A title with Milan in 2011 and spent the bulk of his career at the club. He was in Riyadh on Monday evening cheering on the Rossoneri as they beat city rivals Inter Milan 3-2 to lift the Italian Supercoppa trophy.

“I was so happy for the players, for Milan’s fans for the club because the club deserved it. The new coach [Sergio Conceicao], he changed something. Winning a trophy is something great to start a new story at AC Milan because AC Milan is used to winning trophies and winning matches like this.”

Antonini insists both he and his family are enjoying life in the Gulf and he is excited by the country's sporting potential.

“I like Saudi Arabia and I also like this country. My family lives in Dubai. I work in Saudi because you can build something great there and I’m very happy to be there so I don’t think of going back to Italy or any other place," he said. "I want to stay there and enjoy and help the guys develop into great players.”

Antonini takes pride in helping aspiring Saudi youngsters on their footballing journey and said he has been impressed by the desire of the players he trains to keep improving.

“I'm working with the young team, with guys of 17 years old, and they want to want to learn. They are so excited about football," Antonini said.

"They watch all Serie A and Premier League games, so they see a lot of matches and they want to develop into professional players.

"For example, after an hour-and-a-half of training, they ask me to go on, to play a game.”

Former players Papu Gomez, David Trezeguet and Francesco Totti at the launch of the 'Sharjah Week of the Stars' event. Photo: SCTDA

Antonini said he believes the sort of mentality shown by his young cohort can only serve the Saudi national team in good stead for the future.

“This for guys of Under 17 team, well, it's amazing because they want to learn, they want to play, they want to practice. So, this is the mentality of the people in Arabia at this moment. This is great for the country and for the people who will be with these guys.”

The future looks bright for the youth at Al Nassr and Saudi Arabia, and for Antonini, too, who has ambitions to further his own coaching career under fellow Italian Stefano Pioli, the current head coach of the Nassr first team.