The farewell to Igor Protti generated a wave of commotion in Cecina, where many people gathered in the cemetery's farewell room to pay tribute to the former striker. On social media, testimonials from friends, journalists and admirers multiplied, remembering the top scorer and the man of character who marked generations in Bari and Livorno.
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Luigi Guelpa remembered Protti far from the noise of the stadium: the slow and determined step to the altar, arm in arm with his daughter Noemi, as a symbol of intimate strength and kindness. In addition to the numbers of an extraordinary striker, he highlighted the human mark he left through the warmth he gave to others.
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Massimo Mattei painted a portrait of Tirrenia and Protti's impact on the community: a day of tears and smiles, between sea baths and memories, where “the captain” was never just another person. A heartfelt tribute that reminds us that true wonder is in the eyes of those who experience it.
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Lorenzo Cristallo recalled last night's “triple whistle” and the farewell letter that Protti published online. He spoke of a battle against the disease that began at a disadvantage, but faced with courage and dignity, embraced by an entire country — far beyond Bari, Livorno, Lazio or Naples. The last public image: in May, leading his daughter Noemi to the altar.
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Giampiero Bigazzi recovered a childhood story: his father, Flavio, taking him to the yard for days before buying him the ball, a life lesson that helped shape his character. He confessed his long-standing affection for Protti, Cristiano Lucarelli and Livorno, made up of romanticism and shirts kept in his memory.
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Adamo Romano remembered the times of the “Prottigol” chant, which echoed from Serie C to Serie A. For him, Protti scored on any field, regardless of the opponent or the category, and had “a soul with weight”, made of mud, grass and sweat. He rejected the label of “provincial firefighter”: he saw in him an outlier who chose the smell of the earth over easy crowns.
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Leandro Barsotti wrote about the fight against a colon tumor: diagnosis in July 2025, progression in September and the last public appearance in May 2026, when, already weakened, he walked his daughter to the altar. He recalled Protti's parting words — “this splendid trip has reached the final whistle” — and the wish that it be a “see you later” and not a goodbye. Protti died at age 58.
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Dionisio Ciccarese revisited 1995/96, when Protti competed for the top scorer title with Giuseppe Signori (both with 24 goals). He said that Arrigo Sacchi ended up not calling up either of them for Euro'96, opting for Enrico Chiesa, Pierluigi Casiraghi, Fabrizio Ravanelli and Gianfranco Zola, in a campaign that ended early for Italy. For Ciccarese, “Zar” deserved the call-up, for his talent and example. In farewell, he quoted Protti again: “this splendid trip has reached the final whistle”.
Between numbers, goals and memories, there is the image of a captain who united stands and cities. The ‘Zar’ from Bari and Livorno leaves, but his human and sporting footprint remains alive in Italian football.
