Fenerbahçe star Alessia Orro’s Turkey admission: 'I don’t want to see it that way'

Fenerbahçe Medicana’s new-season signing Alessia Orro spoke to Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, sharing her thoughts on Turkey, her career, and life in Istanbul. Highlights from the Italian star’s interview are as follows:

“DEL PIERO IS MY HERO”

“I come from a Juventus family, so Pavel Nedved and Alessandro Del Piero are my heroes. In volleyball, the idols were different — Valentina Arrighetti and Francesca Piccinini were my elder sister Sara’s favourites, and she’s four years older than me.”

“I DON’T WANT TO SEE IT THAT WAY”

When asked, “Your salary at Fenerbahçe is €600,000. If an Italian club had offered the same, would you have stayed?”, Orro responded:

“I don’t want to see it that way. I’m happy to be in Istanbul because the offer came at the right moment. It’s not just a sporting decision — it’s a life experience. My boyfriend Matteo Picchio is here with me as well.

In Turkey, volleyball receives as much attention as basketball or football does in Italy.”

“TURKISH PEOPLE ARE WARM AND RESPECTFUL”

“They stop me on the streets of Istanbul — in supermarkets, in restaurants... I really love that aspect, because Turkish people are not only warm but also respectful. I like the climate too; it’s not the sun of Sardinia, but I enjoy it — and the food.”