If there was ever any doubt about how important kit men are to soccer, there shouldn't be any more now after Italian defender Daniele de Rossi's tribute to recently passed Italian National Team kit man Pietro Lombardi.
Lombardi, nicknamed "Spazzolino" ("toothbrush") for how clean he kept the players' shoes, served as kit man during Italy's 2006 World Cup triumph. de Rossi honored that triumph by leaving his 2006 World Cup winner's medal in Lombardi's casket.
From Gazzetta World:
Spazzolino had endeared himself to many of the players in that squad. Francesco Totti posted on his blog after hearing of his death. De Rossi reacted silently, preferring to keep his thoughts to himself, and his relationship with the man private.
He left training in the morning and put his World Cup winner’s medal in his pocket before driving to Florence. There, he greeted his friend for the final time and put his most valuable possession into the coffin.
Thank a kit man next time you see one.
Contact The18 Staff Writer Sam Klomhaus@The18.com or follow him on Twitter @SamKlomhaus
