Picci is NO DOUBT the QUEEN of Italian Volleyball and one of the few volleyball stars in the world who can still compete against the world’s best at the age of 39.

In this great article released by CEV, Picci shares that she wants to be a role model to young players. With 25 years of experience playing in the highest level, the 2002 World Champion is one player we should all look up to.

Ricordo ancora il mio esordio di 21 anni fa: avevo 16 anni e l'emozione unica di quel giorno, sarà sempre viva nella mia memoria. Da allora ho vissuto un viaggio incredibile con tre generazioni di ragazze che come me hanno dato tutto se stesse alla Nazionale. Le saluto e abbraccio tutte ringraziandole per ciò che hanno condiviso con me, sia nei momenti delle grandi soddisfazioni che in quelli dei giorni difficili. L'ultima tappa della qualificazione olimpica in Giappone, mi ha fatto capire che le scelte dell'allenatore, che rispetto ma non condivido, non corrispondono alle mie aspettative e a quanto penso di rappresentare. Ho quindi maturato la scelta difficilissima di mettere la parola fine a questa bellissima avventura. Ogni volta che vedrò una partita della Nazionale, sarò sempre la prima tifosa, perché chi ne ha fatto parte sa che l'emozione speciale di rappresentare il proprio Paese, non potrà mai svanire.

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“I like to be a role model for them. I am happy and honoured for having the chance to help them improve and grow. That is what happened to me when I was very young and I shared my time with more experienced and talented players. Still, I am also persuaded that competing with them I can keep growing and improving myself every single day.”

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In case you didn’t know, Picci is one of Italy’s most popular athletes and one of the most followed volleyball players on Instagram with more than 104,000 followers. She has appeared in several magazine covers and TV appearances since the start of her volleyball career in 1993. The 4 time Olympian (2000 – 2004 – 2008 -2012) is also one of the most decorated and most successful professional athletes including 5 CEV Champions League titles plus 2 CEV Champions League MVP Awards in 2010 and 2016.

As far as we know, Picci became the first Italian player to play in the Brazilian Superliga during the 1999-2000 season.

She may never be an Olympic Champion just like some of the world’s legendary players like Logan Tom and Lioubov Sokolova but it’s her longevity that will forever make her a Volleyball Queen in our eyes and in our hearts.

LOVE LIVE THE QUEEN!!!

Click here to read the full interview.

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