Diego Sodinha: The ‘Striker with the Belly’ Making Waves in Italy’s Serie B
While football has long favoured pace, agility and lean physiques, there are always exceptions who capture the public’s imagination. Enter Diego Sodinha, a Brazilian attacking midfielder whose unique combination of flair and physique has earned him a cult following in Italy.
Nicknamed “il bomber con la pancia” – “the striker with the belly” – Sodinha plays for Brescia in Serie B, the second tier of Italian football. Despite not fitting the mould of a typical modern footballer, Sodinha has consistently impressed with his creativity, vision, and goal-scoring ability.
His appearance has drawn inevitable comparisons to Brazilian legend Ronaldo, who famously struggled with weight issues throughout his illustrious career. Yet, unlike Ronaldo, Sodinha seems to embrace the attention – and the belly – with humour and confidence.
In an interview with Catch Brasil.com, Sodinha addressed the speculation around his weight. “How much do I weigh now? 82 kilos. A few weeks ago, I was at 85 or 86 kg. I’d like to lose two kilos, but I don’t want to go below 80. Otherwise, people might think I’m sick,” he joked. Standing at 1.75 metres, his weight might not seem extreme, but rumours persist that his true figure may be well over 100 kg – a claim Sodinha has never confirmed.
Regardless of his weight, what matters most is performance, and Sodinha continues to deliver. In a league that demands tactical discipline and physical endurance, his presence is proof that talent can defy expectations.
As debates around body image and physical standards in sport continue, Diego Sodinha stands out not just for his unconventional build, but for reminding fans that football, at its heart, is still about skill, passion, and character.
