In the annals of Italian football, Lecce may not boast the trophy-laden history of Serie A giants like Juventus, Milan, or Inter, but the Salento club has nonetheless produced its fair share of legendary players over the years. From World Cup winners to hometown heroes, the giallorossi shirt has been graced by some truly remarkable talents since the club’s top-flight debut in 1985.
In this nostalgic journey through Lecce’s Serie A past, we’ve taken on the daunting task of selecting just five players to form the ultimate Lecce five-a-side dream team. These are the iconic figures who not only left an indelible mark on the club’s history but also captured the hearts of the passionate Salentini faithful.
The Last Line of Defense: Wladimiro Falcone
Between the posts, we’ve selected current number one Wladimiro Falcone. A dominant shot-stopper, Falcone has been instrumental in Lecce’s recent Serie A survival bids, proving that sometimes it’s not about the length of your tenure, but the impact you make. With a commanding presence and cat-like reflexes, Falcone edges out club legends like Fabrizio Lorieri and Antonio Chimenti for the goalkeeper spot in our dream team.
The French Connection: Samuel Umtiti
In defense, we simply couldn’t overlook Samuel Umtiti. The World Cup-winning Frenchman may have only spent a solitary season in Salento, but his class was evident from the moment he stepped onto the pitch. Rarely has a player of such pedigree graced the Stadio Via del Mare, and Umtiti’s performances, even when not at 100%, were a joy to behold. He gets the nod ahead of Lecce stalwarts like Lorenzo Stovini and Marco Baroni.
The Midfield Maestro: Juan Barbas
In midfield, there was only ever one choice: Juan Barbas. The Argentine playmaker was the beating heart of Lecce’s early Serie A years, his sublime technique and dead-ball prowess earning him cult hero status among the fans. “Beto, mina la bomba!” (Beto, shoot the bomb!) became a familiar refrain at the Via del Mare, as Barbas’s free-kicks and long-range strikes terrorized opposition defenses. A true Lecce legend, he edges out the likes of Franco Causio and Guillermo Giacomazzi for a spot in our five-a-side team.
The World Cup Winner: Pedro Pasculli
Alongside Barbas in our dream team is another Argentine maestro, Pedro Pasculli. The diminutive forward joined Lecce in 1985 and, despite the club’s relegation in his first season, did enough to earn a spot in Argentina’s victorious 1986 World Cup squad. Pasculli’s goal against Uruguay in the last 16 helped propel La Albiceleste to glory, cementing his place in football history. He would go on to become a Lecce icon, his guile and creativity setting him apart from the rest.
The Hometown Hero: Javier Chevanton
Rounding out our five-a-side team is a player whose Lecce story spans three different spells and a record-breaking goal tally. Javier Chevanton, the Uruguayan sharpshooter, netted an impressive 58 goals for the Salentini, cementing his status as a fan favorite. But it was his commitment to the cause, epitomized by his willingness to play through the pain of a broken arm in a crucial Serie C playoff match, that truly endeared him to the Lecce faithful. Chevanton’s never-say-die attitude and nose for goal see him lead the line in our all-time Lecce five-a-side lineup.
From Falcone’s shot-stopping prowess to Chevanton’s goal-scoring exploits, this nostalgic Lecce five-a-side team is a celebration of the club’s Serie A history. While some may argue for the inclusion of other Salentini greats like Mirko Vucinic or Cristiano Lucarelli, there’s no denying the impact and legacy of the five players we’ve selected. They may not have brought Scudetti or European trophies to the Stadio Via del Mare, but they’ve earned a special place in the hearts of Lecce fans everywhere.
As we look back on Lecce’s top-flight past, it’s impossible not to feel a sense of nostalgia and pride. The giallorossi may be perennial underdogs in the cutthroat world of Italian football, but they’ve always fought with a spirit and passion that belies their modest stature. And in players like Falcone, Umtiti, Barbas, Pasculli, and Chevanton, they’ve had talismanic figures to rally around, heroes who embody the very essence of what it means to be Salentini.
So let’s raise a glass to Lecce’s all-time greats, the players who’ve written their names into the club’s folklore. They may not have achieved the global recognition of some of their Serie A counterparts, but for the fans who’ve cheered them on from the stands of the Via del Mare, they’ll always be legends. And in this nostalgic five-a-side dream team, they’ve taken their rightful place among the pantheon of Lecce icons.
