From ballroom dancing champion to a world-class footballing striker
In short: Before he was scoring iconic overhead kicks in the Premier League, Graziano Pellè was a national under-12s ballroom dancing champion. His journey from the dance floor to the football pitch is a remarkable tale of a late bloomer who eventually became one of the highest-paid players in the world.
Born in 1985 in San Cesario di Lecce, Pellè’s athletic path was not always destined for the pitch. Before finding success as a striker, he achieved national prominence in ballroom dancing alongside his sister, Fabiana. However, following in the footsteps of his father, Roberto—a striker for Lecce in Serie C—he eventually committed to football, beginning his career in the youth ranks of his local club, Lecce.
Pellè’s career was defined by a steady ascent through various European leagues. After several loan spells in Italy's lower divisions, he moved to the Dutch club AZ in 2007. His time in the Eredivisie saw significant milestones, particularly during his prolific stint with Feyenoord, where he became the first Italian to play for the club. During the 2012–13 season, he netted 27 league goals, surpassing the scoring records of famous Italians playing abroad, such as Luca Toni and Christian Vieri.
His physical prowess as a 'target-man' eventually led him to the Premier League with Southampton in 2014 for an £8 million fee. It was here that he achieved legendary status, notably for a 'world class' overhead kick against Queens Park Rangers. His global impact extended to China, where a £12 million transfer to Shandong Luneng in 2016 made him the seventh-highest paid footballer in the world, earning £350,000 per week.
On the international stage, Pellè was a vital component of Italy's Euro 2016 squad. He scored crucial goals in victories against Belgium and Spain, though his tournament ended in heartbreak following a missed penalty in the quarter-final against Germany. Despite the emotional weight of that defeat, Pellè's legacy remains that of a powerful, hardworking forward who could command the penalty area.
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