Saadi Gaddafi
Once upon a time there was a prince who, one day, amid luxurious cars and parties, transformed Italian football into a political stage.
In a small museum located in the Renato Curi Stadium, in Perugia, rests an object that intrigues visitors and football fans: a silver boot displayed in a discreet display case. No, it’s not from Naples legend Diego Maradona. It’s also not actually from any sporting legend. Quite the opposite. The boot belonged to Saadi Gaddafithird son of the former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Saadi turned away from his father’s political path early. He became best known for his parties, alcohol, rebellion… and then for football. Not because of the football he played with his feet, but because of his almost ironic presence in the sport.
Saadi only put on his boots at 27 yearsbut reached the Italian first division. As? Let’s go there now. Without experience, the dictator’s son took control of the club Al-Ahly Tripoliwhere he simultaneously served as president, captain and, of course, main penalty taker. The club, the league, national football quickly became an extension of his personal influence and everyone was ruled by fear. Several sources say that the prince even banned the mention of players’ names during broadcasts, reducing the game to numbers on the shirt: only his name could be pronounced in the reports.
The border between competition and staging became increasingly blurred. An episode that illustrates this perfectly was when a ball from a penalty he took ended up in the hands of the opposing goalkeeper, after hitting the post, and the referee whistled and pointed towards midfield: the goal was validated. According to , the opposing team’s players left the game in protest, but the prince’s security guards came to find them and forced them to end the game.
From Libya to Italy
The connection between Libya and Italy, marked by historical ties and economic interests, opened the door for Saadi to enter European football. Through state investments and energy partnerships, Libyan entities began to have a presence in Italian football, including financial stakes in clubs and commercial agreements linked to oil.
The supposed closeness between Muammar Gaddafi’s regime and Italian political leaders facilitated the football career of a very untalented prince so much that he almost joined the Juventus squad, had the technical committee not rejected him.
Without being able to join one of the giants of Italian football, the path ended up leading to an unexpected destination: the Perugiain 2003, at the hands of the club president, Luciano Gaucci.
The decision was surrounded by immediate controversy, with accusations of political favoritism and financial interests disguised as a sports operation. But there was Gaddafi, suddenly, without a professional CV, but presented as a professional player. Saadi’s arrival transformed the club’s daily life. Installed in a luxury hotel, he traveled in cars and was permanently accompanied by security guards and assistants. His presence attracted the media and Perugia became a media spectacle.
Saadi’s official debut was a long time coming. Between bureaucracy, administrative issues and a suspension for doping, his first game in Serie A took place in 2004, briefly, against… Juventus. He entered the final minutes of a match already decided. According to the Italian press, it was completely irrelevant, sportingly, within the four lines.
Loans, scandals and the fall
After Perugia’s relegation, Saadi continued his career at smaller clubs (but giants for his caliber). Passed through Udinese (made a game) and at least Sampdoria (didn’t play any games). Outside the four lines, he was ruled by excesses. According to the regime’s narrative, a injury put an end to the dream.
With the collapse of the Libyan regime during the 2011 civil war, the Gaddafi family lost power, influence and respect. Got fugiu of the country, was later captured and imprisoned.
