FIP Platinum Sardegna, Papu Gomez at TC Cagliari: “Here to follow Tolito, Maxi Sanchez and Lamperti, but I resemble Chingotto!”

For once, the world of Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez was turned upside down: he was in the stands cheering while the players battled it out on the court. Naturally, padel players on the sea-blue carpet of TC Cagliari, the ‘home’ of FIP Platinum Sardegna, one of the key tournaments of the prestigious Cupra FIP Tour, the global circuit that boasts 180 tournaments across five continents. Papu is a five-star padel fan, much like many Argentinians. He braved the sun and heat to follow the feats of his close friends: Tolito Aguirre, Miguel Lamperti, who beat the Italian pair Perino-Dominguez 6-3, 6-1, and the former world number one Maxi Sanchez, who partnered with Luciano Capra to win with a double 6-4 against Medina-Garcia. These players have made and are making history in the sport, enriching the FIP Platinum Sardegna draw, from the ‘Gen Z’ idol Tolito Aguirre to the two who have literally written pages of history in the global scene.

“Yes, I’m here in Cagliari to follow Tolito, Miguel, and Maxi. They are dear friends, and I cheer for them, while also picking up a few tips.” Padel, a passion that started at a very young age: “Like many Argentinians, I’ve been playing padel since I was a kid. Then football came along, and for a long time, I only played padel during vacations or occasionally when I had the chance.”

But then came the two-year doping ban—while playing for Sevilla, he took a cough syrup containing a banned substance, resulting in a punishment in Spain for not adhering to the precautions usually required of a professional athlete—against which he continues to fight, and now that he has some free time, “padel is a game that fits perfectly with our footballer characteristics. I play padel every day, take lessons to improve, and have a lot of fun. I have many footballer friends who play; the latest one I’ve seen grow a lot in padel is my great friend Diego Perotti.”

Then, football. Ok, padel, but the desire to officially kick the ball again devours him: “I’m fighting for my situation (the ban, ed.), and I can’t wait to play again. Monza is a great club with important and competent people like ‘Mr.’ Galliani. They had a great season with Palladino, and now Mr. Nesta has arrived to do well and have a satisfying season.” Then Papu, formerly of Sevilla, talks about Spain, which dominates the world in football and padel: “I believe it depends on the sports culture, the ability to organize well-equipped schools for kids. But I also see talents here in Italy; maybe they need more support to grow.”

Back to padel, we asked who Papu resembles: “Physically, Chingotto! – jokes the former Atalanta star – everyone tells me I look like him, but not technically, let’s be clear. I play a different sport. My best shot? Lately, I’ve improved my ‘vibora’ and ‘bandeja’ a lot – explains Gomez – I’m a right-handed player, still fast, tactically good, so I build the game.” Surely with some genius strokes, just as he does on that green field with two goals, a bit larger than the padel court.