Poi Bo.
It is an Italian social expression synonymous with Alessandro Diamanti, meaning to live in the moment. As the Italian maestro has explained, it is a way of living life with an attitude that spreads smiles and positive vibes.
He did just that for fans in Australia as the curtain comes down on a fine career.
One of the A-Leagues’ finest imports, the Western United star provided highlights on and off the field.
From a Championship title last season and a Johnny Warren Medal in 2020, to golazos, social media vibes and that contagious smile. The Isuzu UTE A-League saw the best of the former Italy international.
“To come here gave me back that lightness and that passion you always tend to lose in Europe,” the 39-year-old and Western’s inaugural captain said in an interview with Stats Perform in 2020.
Here are some of the best bits of Diamanti in Australia, after Christian Vieri, Leonardo Bonucci, Marco Materazzi, Kevin Prince-Boateng, Giampaolo Pazzini, Cristian Brocchi, Alessandro Matri and Andrea Ranocchia all paid tribute to the 17-cap Italy international.
That Sydney goal and a classic interview
He has been the gift that keeps on giving Down Under since joining Western for their inaugural season in 2019-20.
Even at the ripe old age of 39, Diamanti showed every ounce of his class with a stunning long-range goal to take down Sydney FC in January.
A former attacker for West Ham, Bologna, Fiorentina, Watford, Atalanta, Palermo, Livorno and Guangzhou Evergrande, he came off the bench with the score deadlocked at 0-0 and caught out Andrew Redmayne with a spectacular 40-yard effort.
In the aftermath of one of the great Isuzu UTE A-League strikes and celebrations, came a post-match interview to match.
“Dia, is that one of the best ones you’ve ever struck?” Asked Paramount+ pitch-side reporter Tim Morgan.
“I don’t know… I just know I deserve it,” Diamanti replied.
I deserve it because I don’t give up nothing… I’m very happy for me, honestly. I have to say thank you to myself.
“I’m not scared of nothing. Not scared, just I try. Sometimes you have to try, try something different when the game is even, it’s tough, you have to think outside the box.”
In response to the goal, his head coach and Socceroos legend John Aloisi said: “Since I’ve been coaching, that’s probably up there with the best I’ve seen.
“It’s an exceptional goal, he said he’s scored six or seven of those in his career. That’s the quality of Diamanti. He’ll be sorely missed when he retires.”
Bend it like Dia
Before that unforgettable goal in Tasmania, Diamanti gave us another goal for the highlight reel in November.
Staring down the barrel of a fifth defeat in six games, Diamanti along with Aleksandar Prijovic were thrown on to salvage something from their trip to Wellington Phoenix.
After Prijovic equalised in the 84th minute, his Italian team-mate then turned the match on its head with a glorious 95th-minute free-kick for a dramatic 3-2 win at Sky Stadium.
Another gem
Before teaming up at Western and winning a Championship, Diamanti and Jamie Young were rivals.
During Western’s visit to Brisbane Roar in August 2020, Diamanti curled a free-kick beyond the veteran goalkeeper in another moment of brilliance.
“The Player of the Year has stunned Jamie Young and produced something special on the big stage… of course he has,” the commentators said. “What a player.”
Not just a goalscorer
A member of Italy’s Euro 2012 squad, Diamanti has scored 11 goals during his time in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
But it’s also his assists that have caught the eye Down Under.
With that wand of a left foot, he has tallied 18 assists for Western. From Besart Berisha to Dylan Pierias, a number of team-mates have benefited from his vision and inch-perfect delivery.
Here are the best of the lot.
The vibe king
Diamanti wasn’t just an entertainer on the field, but via his Instagram.
Whether it was simply just him listening to a tune, showcasing his skills with a ‘sherrin’, or cracking jokes, social media was the place to see the Italian live his best life.
Here is just a taste of some of his IG classics.
