Former Italian forward Di Vaio plays special match in Meedhoo

Marco Di Vaio, former forward for Bologna and Italy, participated in a special football match yesterday in Raa atoll Meedhoo.

The match, held at the turf ground in Meedhoo, near Heritance Aarah Resort, featured veterans and current players of Jamiyyatul Salah. Di Vaio played for the veterans in a match that concluded in a 2-2 draw.

The event was part of a collaboration between Heritance Aarah Resort and Bologna FC, a club competing in this season’s UEFA Champions League. This partnership includes a global campaign and various activities in the Maldives.

Yesterday’s match in Meedhoo was among these initiatives, aiming to link the resort and the local community through football.

Veterans of Jamiyyatul Salah, who competed in national football tournaments in the 1960s, expressed their excitement at playing alongside a celebrated figure like Di Vaio. After the match, Di Vaio presented the association with a jersey signed by Bologna players.

Di Vaio’s football career was marked by success at some of Europe’s most prominent clubs. He played for Bologna from 2008 to 2012 and was renowned for his goal-scoring prowess in Serie A.

At Parma, he won the Italian Cup and the Italian Super Cup, while his stint at Juventus saw him secure a Serie A title and reach the Champions League final in 2003. Later, he played for Valencia in Spain before concluding his career in Major League Soccer.

Internationally, Di Vaio represented Italy at Euro 2004 and played a role in the team qualifying for the 2006 World Cup. However, he did not feature in the tournament-winning squad due to a dip in form.

Now serving as Bologna’s team manager, Di Vaio continues to contribute to the club’s success. Bologna finished fourth in Serie A last season, which led to coach Thiago Motta’s move to Juventus. Additionally, Manchester United recently signed Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee.