Francis Lodi for the fans and the inhabitants of Catania he is now an idol and an institution. He is because he played 239 games between Serie A and Serie C with the Sicilians, scoring 54 goals: free kicks, penalties, long-distance shots, always with that sharp and lethal left foot. After the interludes in Serie A with Parma and Udinese, the midfielder announced his choice: he would return to Lega Pro just to feel at home again in the club of his life. At 33 he decided to sign for the red and blue club and, exactly 7 years ago, he wrote a letter to the people of Catania, of which we report an extract:
“You know how strong the feeling is that binds me to the city and the colors of this shirt, my return was desired. Even though other teams had sought me out, the goal was to return to Catania, I was born in Naples but a Catanese by adoption. I am not here for economic reasons but for my heart, for money I would have gone to another category. My goal, and it is also that of the club, of my teammates, of the fans and of the journalists, is for Catania to return to where it deserves to be. There is suffering to be had but we will put in humility and great desire.
[…]Pressure? If a player doesn’t want it, he should play another sport. A great footballer doesn’t suffer responsibilities but attacks them. Ours is an important team, everyone will be waiting for us: beating Catania, in this category, is equivalent to beating Juve. We must immediately make a significant mark on the championship. We don’t just need Lodi but all the players, those who play and those who are outside, those who are behind the scenes, the fans, the journalists. When the Massimino is full, the opponents will be afraid, but filling the stadium depends on us, we will have to earn trust and arouse emotion with the desire we will put on the field and with the sweat of the shirt. Me as a leader? A leader is with facts and not with words: you have to arrive first, train more, be humble. I am also available to the young people: if there is a problem they can count on me”.
He was later forced to leave Catania, terminating his contract in January 2020 due to the club’s financial problems.