{"id":24266,"date":"2026-05-14T13:10:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T11:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cagliaricalcio.com\/news\/thanks-pavo\/"},"modified":"2026-05-14T19:03:28","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:03:28","slug":"thanks-pavo","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/cagliaricalcio.com\/en\/news\/thanks-pavo\/","title":{"rendered":"Thanks, Pavo!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Leonardo Pavoletti is preparing to end his playing career with Cagliari. The Club pays tribute to him with the final episode of the season of “PodCasteddu,” the official Cagliari Calcio podcast, in which he recounts the emotions of a nine-year journey filled with unforgettable moments. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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That he was something special was immediately obvious, from his arrival in Cagliari on a warm late summer evening. A rapturous crowd awaited him at the airport, a welcome quite unusual at this latitude, reserved only for those players truly capable of making their mark. <\/p>\n\n

In his suitcase, a load of dreams and goals achieved around Italy. The arrivals gates swing open, eyes sparkle with excitement: it’s an overwhelming wave of enthusiasm, the first embrace of the rossobl\u00f9 people. There will be many more. That Tuscan boy with the infectious smile certainly couldn’t have imagined that Sardinia would become his happy place, that place where he could raise a family, give birth to and raise his children, become a man. <\/p>\n\n

The story is one of those from a movie: an inextricable tangle of joys, even exhilarating ones, and then\u2014suddenly\u2014of difficult moments when the world seems to collapse around you. One minute you’re on cloud nine, then you’re crushed. A constant test that life throws at you, but you always get up and start again. The superhero cape “Pavoloso” worn on the pitch, off it\u2014for everyone\u2014simply Leonardo. <\/p>\n\n

At Cagliari, he was a key figure, playing 231 matches and scoring 52 goals. He wore the Azzurri blue jersey and entered the ranks of the all-time top scorers. A true centre-forward, a rare breed, he scored in every way: especially with his header, his specialty, acrobatically. “If you put it in, Pavoletti scores,” was the iconic chant chanted by teammates and fans. <\/p>\n\n

His goals were often crucial, not trivial, capable of sealing last-gasp victories and incredible comebacks. His feats were crucial in securing survival, and in achieving an epic promotion. Author of many pages in the Rossoblu’s history, “that” 94th minute of the Bari final consigns him to history. <\/p>\n\n

You certainly would have liked to end this journey on the pitch, but here too, fate, consistent and mocking, played its part. As captain, you will still be there, as always, alongside the team, to support them and convey all your strength. The embrace of the rossobl\u00f9 fans, the farewells. One thing is certain: some loves are just not meant to be said goodbye, Cagliari is and always will be your home. <\/p>\n\n

Thank you so much, Pavo!<\/p>\n\n

THE EPISODE OF PODCASTEDDU WITH LEONARDO PAVOLETTI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

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