How Real Madrid’s Trainer is Helping NASA

This is the High Ground, a football newsletter that’s as inviting as scoring an open goal.

Here’s what we got for you today:

• Meet Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal's Newest Star

• How Real Madrid’s Trainer is Helping NASA

From the Vatican to the Emirates: Meet Riccardo Calafiori, Arsenal's Newest Star

Imagine starting your football journey on a training ground named after a pope, with St. Peter’s Basilica as your backdrop. That’s where Riccardo Calafiori kicked off his career at A.S.D Petriana in Rome. This idyllic setting was just the beginning for a kid destined for greatness.

AS Roma spotted Calafiori's potential early, snapping him up for their academy at just nine years old. The young full-back was soon being compared to Francesco Rocca, a legendary Roma player known for his blistering speed. But Calafiori’s path wasn't without obstacles. At 16, he suffered a severe knee injury that threatened to end his career before it even began. With the help of top-notch medical care in the U.S. and the support of his then-agent Mino Raiola, Riccardo bounced back, stronger and more determined than ever.

During his recovery, Roma captain Daniele De Rossi took Calafiori under his wing. De Rossi’s kindness left a lasting impression on the young defender. "He used to pick me up and bring me home from training," Calafiori recalls. "On the day he retired, I was the last person he embraced. I broke down in tears."

After struggling for game time at Roma and a tough loan spell at Genoa, Calafiori made a bold move to Basel. This switch was crucial, giving him the minutes he needed to develop. At Basel, he reinvented himself as a versatile defender capable of playing both in the center and on the flanks.

Bologna took a chance on Calafiori, signing him for €4 million. Under Thiago Motta’s guidance, he flourished, transforming into one of Serie A’s standout defenders. His ability to step into midfield and make daring runs made him invaluable. Calafiori’s performances caught the eye of Italy coach Luciano Spalletti, earning him a spot in the national team.

Now, Calafiori brings his talent to Arsenal, where he’ll join a dynamic backline. With a fee potentially rising to £42 million, he’s one of the summer’s most exciting signings. Though it might take time for him to break into the starting XI, his versatility and modern defensive skills make him a perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s squad.

From the Pitch to the Moon: How Real Madrid’s Trainer is Helping NASA

Real Madrid isn't just conquering the football world; they might soon have a hand in space exploration too. Intrigued? Let’s dive into how Antonio Pintus, Real Madrid’s renowned physical trainer, is working with NASA on their Artemis moon programme.

Antonio Pintus, Real Madrid’s fitness guru, has teamed up with NASA as part of their Artemis programme, aiming to return humans to the moon. Pintus has already visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to share his expertise on maintaining peak physical condition, even in space.

Known as "the sergeant" for his intense training regimens, Pintus blends technology and data analysis to optimize player performance. His methods have earned him respect and a recent promotion to performance director at Real Madrid.

The partnership sparked last summer during Real Madrid’s pre-season tour in the U.S. Carlos Garcia-Galan, a Spanish engineer at NASA, met Pintus at a training session and realized they had a lot in common. “We immediately saw there were many topics on which we agreed,” Garcia-Galan recalls.

Pintus visited the Johnson Space Center during an international break, immersing himself in NASA’s training processes. He observed astronaut preparation and tested the simulator for the Orion spacecraft, contributing ideas on how to keep astronauts fit on long missions.

Data-Driven Excellence: Pintus’s meticulous data collection impressed NASA. He uses real-time data to monitor and customize training plans for each player. This level of detail could enhance astronaut training, helping them maintain fitness before, during, and after missions.

The collaboration continues, with Garcia-Galan visiting Real Madrid’s Chicago training camp. Both NASA and Real Madrid are exploring further areas of mutual interest, potentially presenting their findings at conferences.

What’s Next? While Pintus isn’t planning to lead a space mission himself, his innovative methods are inspiring NASA to think outside the box. As a Madridista, Garcia-Galan is happy to keep Pintus firmly on the Real Madrid team.

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