The event on December 1, 2025, saw a packed San Filippo church to pay fitting tribute to Messina’s 125-year history. The memory of Totò Schillaci, who would have turned 61 today, was a must.
PRE-MATCH EMOTIONS – Gates opened at 5:30 PM, and the party was on. The seats in the Curva and both Tribune—Tribune B was exceptionally open for this event—filled as time passed, while social media creators and others flocked to the pitch. The pre-match was hosted by Speaker Maira—now renowned as the voice of the Giallorossi and returning with the new ownership—and Denny Napoli. Numerous guests were present, including Tatino, Sickwolf, and Messina native ZW Jackson. Former Messina player Romolo Rossi, who played for the Giallorossi between 1984 and 1987, also made his appearance. He left the pitch only after sending a message of hope to the fans for this season and the future. President Massimino and Franco Scoglio also remembered the match.
THE TEAMS – The pitch then turns its attention, after the intense pre-match excitement that erupted all the way up to the kick-off whistle by former referee Giampaolo Calvarese. Legends of football, both former Giallorossi players and former players, will face off in the Stadio San Filippo before a massive crowd, seeking to return—at least for one night—to the glory of the past. Team Cannavaro and Team Nesta will face off in two 35-minute halves.
TEAM CANNAVARO: Dida, Frey, F. Cannavaro, P. Cannavaro, Aldair, Tonetto, Serginho, Fiore, Giannichedda, Evani, Fuser, Eranio, Montolivo, Mauri, Hernanes, Pagniello, Brocchi, Candreva, Jeda, Ganz, Iaquinta. Coach: Galli.
TEAM NESTA: Storari, Abbiati, Parisi, Pancaro, Nesta, Iuliano, Jankulovski, Portanova, Di Livio, Tacchinardi, Marcolin, Perrotta, Budel, Coppola, Sullo, Di Napoli, Cerci, Floccari, Romano. Coach: Donadoni.
FIRST HALF – Kick-off took place only after Mayor Federico Basile, Messina President Justin Davis, and Vice President Morris Pagniello had visited the pitch. A brief tribute was then paid to Totò Schillaci, who would have turned 61 today. Great emotion and chants from the entire stadium accompanied the start of the match. A game that, contrary to expectations, was marked by intense competition and a fast pace. The team in white jerseys, captained by Fabio Cannavaro, put in a superb performance, even taking the lead ten minutes after kick-off against Calvarese. The goal was scored by an inspired Vincenzo Iaquinta, who beat Marco Storari on his third attempt. Honorable mention goes to the former Giallorossi goalkeeper—who guarded the white and blue net from 2003 to 2007—who repeatedly denied Iaquinta and Hernanes, with a superb technical feat on the latter drawing applause from the entire stadium. Iaquinta’s goal decided the first half, with Team Cannavaro going into halftime with a 1-0 lead over Team Nesta.
TRIBUTE TO TOTÒ SCHILLACI – During halftime, there was also ample time to remember a Giallorossi legend, Totò Schillaci, who passed away on September 18, 2024. In the middle of the pitch, a portrait of the top scorer at the 1990 World Cup, where Italy finished third, was hung. The Curva and Tribune took part in the ritual photo-ops and chants for the former Giallorossi player. Also in the middle of the pitch were Carmelo Mancuso, Vincenzo Di Palma, and Romolo Rossi, the latter of whom was keen to remember him: “Totò and I were together the year we got promoted. We were happy and hugging each other. I remember him that way, and I want to remember him that way.”
SECOND HALF – There were numerous changes at halftime, with coaches Filippo Galli and Roberto Donadoni making almost complete changes to their teams. At the 15-minute mark, Cannavaro’s team took a two-goal lead with Stefano Mauri scoring an easy effort after Candreva’s assist. During the second half, current Messina coach Pippo Romano also made his debut, coming on to represent Team Nesta in the red jersey. There was much applause for the coach, who, in addition to being the Giallorossi’s coach, was a player for the Biancoscudata from 1997 to 2002, retiring at the age of 40 with Messina. At the end, Candreva raced down the wing and passed to Jeda, who sealed the win for a 3-0 win for Team Cannavaro.
POST MATCH – After the match, some of the evening’s key players shared their own emotional statements, bidding farewell to Messina after paying tribute to the club and Totò Schillaci.
SULLO – “It’s always wonderful when I come back here. I’ve been here for seven years, my daughter grew up here. Indelible bonds have been created that are strengthened every time I come back, and I come back more often than you might think. Schillaci? We all remember him. The 1990 World Cup was something unique. Then we met in 2023/2024, and he was already undergoing treatment, and I remember him fondly. I also want to remember Christian Argurio, who was here with me. He too was a great loss. A call from Messina? I hope more Sullos and Di Napolis arrive. I’ve already given my all here, I came back, and then I gave up two years of my contract. Love often doesn’t make you think, but it’s important to be rational. I will always be a fan of this club and this city, of which I am also an honorary citizen, but I hope that our history will also be put aside a little, it will mean that others like or better than us have arrived.”
DI NAPOLI – “Today’s match? The first three minutes were good, then tiredness set in (laughs, ed. ). Tonight so many memories came back to me, I wrote beautiful pages here and we hope these pages can return and that the fans can rejoice again. I carry so many beautiful things within me, I hope that the new club will revive the club and the city. Football is changing, patience has been lost. One piece of advice I can give is that the new club must be patient and must make responsible decisions, especially and above all by choosing the right people. We need to plan, not look to the past, but put passion and organize, doing things well, and not rushing. For a while now, we’ve been missing a healthy club, one that knows how to ignite the fans’ spark, and that doesn’t mean rushing to win. The best match in Messina? For me, it will always be Messina-Como. At that time, that match was a joy, an important chapter in the history of this club was written. Schillaci? His legend is unique, I met him as a young man and he will always remain in our hearts. I always follow Messina, I’ve done my part and I prefer to look at the club from the outside now. We hope it can return to being a great team. Messina today should be chosen for the project, not for the past. A player should come here because something great is being built, not just for the glorious past.
