Former Juventus Defender Marco Motta Now an African TV Football Analyst

Ekhbary News Agency | May 15, 2024

Marco Motta, the former Juventus defender, has re-emerged in the public eye, not on the pitch, but as a football analyst on African television. Motta, who recently celebrated his 40th birthday, concluded his playing career in Indonesia with Persija Jakarta. He subsequently transitioned into coaching, settling in Spain where he now mentors the Under-16 youth team at Alcobendas, a club situated near Madrid.

Analyzing World Cup Dynamics and African Football

Motta appeared on the African channel SportyTv, engaging in discussions about the immense pressures facing African football during World Cup qualifiers. He highlighted the unrealistic demands for immediate results, citing the dismissal of Tunisia's coach mid-tournament as a prime example. To be sure, his appearance generated considerable surprise among social media users, many of whom were taken aback to see him in this new role. While his knowledge of African football might not be extensive, his broader contributions to football analysis have been widely appreciated. Motta specifically lauded the Japanese national team, stating he was not surprised by their opening draw against the Netherlands, praising their quality which later shone against Tunisia.

A Media Career Alongside Coaching

This was not Motta's first foray into media; over recent years, he has combined his former player status with diverse experiences in sports media, including collaborations with Dazn Spain and interviews for Marca. He also featured on Italy's Radio Serie A, where he spoke about the profound impact coach Luciano Spalletti had on his professional development. Motta described Spalletti as someone who "left a deep mark, and was very important to me," adding that he is "a coach with great personality, who wants to take care of every detail on and off the field, a complete coach among the best." Motta's journey underscores a notable transition from professional player to analyst and coach, affirming that passion for football extends beyond the playing field. He continues to follow top-tier football closely, particularly Real Madrid, and enjoys attending Champions League matches at the Bernabeu whenever possible.