In South America around the ‘30s a football player permanently changed the language of the game.
His name was Carlos Volante, and he went down in history for being so different, so disruptive in his style of play, that from then on journalists began to identify his surname with the position he played.
Still today, “volante” is the word used in South American and Portuguese football to describe the defensive midfielder - what in Italy we call the “mediano”.
When I spoke with Irene Santi, the story of Carlos Volante came back to mind, as it’s rare to see a player whose personality completely mirrors the role she covers on the field. Of course, Volante’s name isn’t referred to the position because of his personality but rather because of what he did on the pitch, as he became one with his role.
In Irene I found something very similar - an identification, a correspondence. The way she talked about herself reminded me of what I have always seen her do on the pitch, in front of Inter’s defence: balance, pragmatism, intelligence.
A way of being that, in the end, perfectly embodies the path she’s followed in life and throughout her football career.
She’s twenty-six years old, born in Milan, and has grown within the very team whose vice-captain’s armband she now proudly wears, Inter.
Nowadays, it’s rare to find a player who has grown up within the same football environment, and it is even more rare, therefore, to be able to tell the story of someone who has sweated through every step of her career wearing the same jersey, and managing to push her own boundaries and find motivation year after year.
Between one season and the next at Inter, she graduated in Communication and Society from the Università Cattolica of Milan, while enduring one of the darkest periods an athlete can face: recovering from a serious injury. A moment in life that, in many ways, helped shape who she is today, a player and a person capable of seeing both football and life without superfluity, with honesty and a clear vision.
Why did you start playing football?
I started playing football as a child because my whole family is obsessed with it, on both my mother’s and father’s side.
We used to spend Sundays playing football together and I still have photos of me with a ball at my feet in kindergarten. Whenever my parents were travelling I’d always ask them to bring me a football jersey from the cities they visited, I still have tiny Liverpool ones and even Cannavaro’s jersey from his time at Real Madrid. Until the age of 12, I played with boys because there weren’t football teams for girls back then, and honestly, that never bothered me. Playing with boys as a young girl really shapes you.
One day, Inter’s sporting director came to watch one of my training sessions. Shortly after that, I went for a trial match in Switzerland, I don’t remember much about it, except that I scored a goal. At that trial there were also players like Merlo, Brustia, Pandini, who would later become my teammates at Inter for many years.
Was there a moment when you realised football could become your job?
Honestly, I’ve always lived football as a huge passion of mine without overthinking about the future. I just wanted to play, that’s all.
Growing up and living in my hometown, keeping my family and friends close, gave me a certain balance. Unlike many girls who had to move away for football, I grew up at my own pace without having to turn my life upside down.
I believe that particular mindset helped me because after all this time at Inter, I’ve seen so many players come through the youth teams, girls who seemed destined for great things, but ended up losing their way.
What do you think makes the difference between those who manage to build a career and those who lose their way?
You can be as talented as you like, but if you don’t manage to stay grounded, it’s a struggle. Not overthinking things is key. You have to make the most of every chance you get and be determined.
You see, I’ve never been obsessed with becoming a professional footballer, but I’ve also never even thought of giving up playing.
When I was in high school and saw my friends living the kind of life most 16-year-olds do, I wasn’t bothered to make sacrifices or go home early on Saturday nights due to a match the next morning.
After all, I think that’s what makes the difference: staying humble and grounded, that’s how you get somewhere.
What are the pros and cons of playing for the same team your whole life?
The pros are clear: you’re in a familiar place, surrounded by people you know, and you feel like you really belong there. I identify deeply with this club and the environment, it feels like home. Over the years, I’ve learned what it means not only to play for Inter, but to be Inter. I’m aware of all the sacrifices we’ve made to get where we are now, from Serie B to the top spots in Serie A.
The downside is that it’s too easy to feel comfortable in your own bubble. That’s why I always try to raise the bar. I’ve never felt “untouchable”, and that actually motivates me, not to mention the fact that we still haven’t won what we dream of winning.
How do you see your role within the team?
This year I became vice-captain, and it’s something I’m really proud of. My teammates and the club make me feel like a go-to person.
Of course, it’s a big responsibility. There are older and more experienced players than me, even some who’ve won trophies abroad. But at the same time, they make me realize how important it is to have someone who’s been at Inter for years and knows the club inside out. In such an international locker room, it’s also key to have someone who helps breaking language barriers.
I believe it’s important for teammates to open up, talk, and stick together. Without that, it’s hard to grow as a team.
The group dynamic has always been special at Inter.
To give you an idea, often former teammates who went abroad come back to Italy just to see us because they felt good here. It’s like we always manage to create a family.
You’ve recently gone through two serious injuries-one to your meniscus, one to your ACL. What’s the hardest part of that journey that people often overlook?
After the meniscus injury, I came back, played three games, and then tore my ACL. At first, I didn’t even realize what had happened, but when I got the MRI results, that’s when the emotions hit.
I had surgery right away, but what people don’t understand is how much your life changes, so suddenly. One day, your schedule revolves around training, games, and competition. The next, you can’t walk, and you find yourself alone in a gym, face to face with yourself.
At first, you try to stay optimistic, thinking you’ll get through it easily. Then reality hits-you learn to focus on small goals, day by day.
Patience and clarity become everything.
What was the hardest part about getting back on the field?
Coming back was the hardest part.
When you’re training for recovery, it’s just you and your body. In a game, it’s twenty-two players, with timing and space you’re not used to anymore. Fear creeps in, the fear of getting hurt again, of going into a tackle.
For a while, I couldn’t even slide-tackle anymore. I had to train for weeks just to get that instinct back.
Injuries change everything-the way you perceive your body, your limits. You learn to listen to yourself, to manage pain and workload.
It’s not a straight line. And it’s definitely not a quick one.
You sound like a very determined person - are you?
Yes, I am. And I’m very demanding with myself-not in an obsessive way, I think I’m balanced-but I know in football, like in life, there are things you can control and things you can’t. What you can control is how you react.
How do you feel women’s football is being portrayed in Italy?
We’ve come a long way compared to the past, but there are still outlets that talk about women’s football in ways I don’t like.
At the same time, I’m not a fan of the victim narrative we often use in Italy-always complaining about what we don’t have instead of recognizing what we have achieved through years of effort. Football culture in this country takes time to evolve. But it’s happening-and what we need are stronger pushes: more consistent, engaging communication; dedicated club channels; content that helps fans get to know female players; good coverage and storytelling around games.
That’s how you build interest.
You were born in Milan, raised at Inter, studied at the Università Cattolica - how much of Milan is in Irene Santi?
A lot.
Milan is fast, full of energy, always changing. You notice it the moment you leave-it’s hard to find that same mood anywhere else.
After all, Milan is home.
Credits:
Agency: The Source / @thesource_global
Model: Irene Santi / @iresaints
Photographer & Creative: Claudia Frizzera / @claudia.frizzera
PH Assistant: Marco Arici / @marcoarici
Stylist: Chiara De Giorgi / @chiaradegiorgi
Stylist Assistant: Camilla Perucchio / @camyllanna
Stylist Assistant: Vincenzo Vitello / @vnc.enzo
Stylist Assistant: Linda Menegoz / @ndalimeee
Hair & Make Up Artist: Gaia Pensabene / @gaiapensabene_mua
Valentina Forlin
Born in Belluno, she works as a Social Media Manager for Serie A Women and Calciatori Brutti. She writes about women’s football for L’Ultimo Uomo, telling stories about the game, its people, and everything that happens around it.
@valentinaforlinn