Marco Ponti

The beautiful season

Winner of the Nastro d’Argento. Produced by Grøenlandia and Rai Cinema. Italy, 2022.

On the eve of the 1990-91 football season, Paolo Mantovani’s Sampdoria is ready to aim high: after years of steady growth, the dream of winning the Scudetto is no longer out of reach. In an atmosphere of ambition and redemption, Gianluca Vialli, Roberto Mancini, and Pietro Vierchowod make a pact to achieve a historic feat. The season will be memorable, leading them to win one of the most surprising championships ever, and the following year, to the Champions League final against Barcelona at Wembley.

But the story doesn’t end there. Thirty years later, the two friends and champions Vialli and Mancini find themselves side by side in the Italian national team—one as head coach, the other as team delegate—for another unforgettable challenge. With strength and cohesion, they lead Italy to victory in the 2021 European Championship, clinching the title in an epic final against England at Wembley, thus completing a symbolic circle in their lives and in the history of football.

A tale of passion, friendship, and dreams fulfilled, capable of touching the hearts of sports lovers and beyond.

Cast & Creative Team
Roberto Mancini, interpreter
Born in Jesi in 1964, Roberto Mancini is a legend of Italian football, known as "Il Mancio." After an extraordinary career as a player, especially with Sampdoria, where he won a historic Scudetto, he became one of the most decorated coaches, leading the Italian national team to victory in the 2020 European Championship.
Gianluca Vialli, interpreter
Gianluca Vialli (Cremona, 1964-2023) was a special friend and a legend of Italian football. One of the most extraordinary strikers of the '80s and '90s, he made his mark with Sampdoria, where he formed one of the most beloved and successful partnerships with Roberto Mancini. He won national and international trophies with Juventus and Chelsea, achieving triumph in all UEFA competitions, inspiring both on and off the field, and leaving a legacy of unforgettable successes and values.
Marco Ponti, director
A director and screenwriter from Turin, Marco Ponti made his debut with Santa Maradona (2001), a cult film awarded two David di Donatello. Over the years, he has directed successful films, music videos, and documentaries. Through his work, he explores stories of great impact and intensity, bringing Italian cinema to international stages.