NEW INTERVIEW : GOAL GRAIL GALLERY
1. INTRODUCE YOURSELF.
My nickname is@goalgrailgallery on Instagram. I'm an Italian living abroad, deeply passionate about football. My collecting goal is to act like an archaeologist, unearthing early and rare cards of the greatest football players throughout history. I have also published my personal list of the key players of each decade, from the 1950s onward, and I try to collect all these greats.
2. WHEN DID YOU START COLLECTING AND HOW/WHY?
I started collecting many years ago. My love affair with football began in 1994, when I watched my first match! it was love at first sight. Since then, I have spent 30 years following football: watching, writing about it, and, recently, collecting memorabilia. In the 1990s, I built a solid collection of Panini Calciatori albums with my father; we even ordered some earlier editions together. My collecting journey kicked off around 1994/95, then it re-started a couple of years ago.
3. WHAT ARE YOUR MOST VALUABLE ITEMS ?
I've been fortunate to acquire many treasures, but one of the highlights is a Pele Aquarela sticker from 1958 ! it's both my most expensive acquisition and one I am immensely proud of. Later I bought the full album, a major achievement for any collector.
Sentimentally, I'd highlight the collection I built around Diego Maradona's early career , including the disc from 1977 and three rookie cards from 1978. Another special mention goes to my early Johan Cruyff cards: Palirex, Sicker-Verlag, and Vanderout.
When thinking about the more modern days, I'm pretty happy to have a rare Francesco Totti sticker from the 1994 Service Line Tutto calcio album
4. HOW MUCH DO YOU SPEND IN STICKERS/CARDS WEEKLY/MONTHLY/YEARLY ?
I don't follow a strict budget. If I find a good opportunity, I take it. However, I strongly believe collectors should only spend what they can comfortably afford ! This is a passion, not a financial burden. I always recommend being financially responsible: family and real assets come first.
To stay organized, I maintain a detailed spreadsheet where I record every purchase, tracking the expenses.
5. WHICH TEAM DO YOU SUPPORT ?
Due to another project I'm involved, I prefer not to reveal the main team I support. However, I can say that I proudly back my hometown club ,Venezia FC. Let's hope we'll continue playing in Serie A next season!
6. NAME YOUR FAVOURITE INSTAGRAM, TIK TOK AND X(TWITTER) ACCOUNTS, BESIDES YOURS !
There are many accounts I truly admire. Among fellow Italian collectors, I have great respect for friends like @Pablo4collection, @ivan.cards, @figurinemondialieuropei, @ilricercatore2022.
Outside the Italian Instagram gang, some crazy Portuguese guys and hard-core Americans like @PSAcarter, I find incredible value in YouTube channels like ElRey_collection, USMNT Soccer cards, Soccer_study and many more. Their knowledge, passion, and content quality are second to none.
In terms of collections, I just can't stop admiring El Rey's one, @Miura_cards and @vintagesoccercards
7. HOW DO YOU SEE THE FUTURE OF THE "HOBBY" ?
Honestly, I have some concerns. Modern companies are flooding the market with new products every week, creating an illusion of rarity with endless variations. Autographs and "limited" cards are losing their value because of overproduction.
Back in the day, getting an autograph was about a personal encounter with your idol, today, players sign thousands of cards in minutes, and it feels much less special.
Still, I believe the hobby has a bright future for collectors who focus on the true legends. The best players in football history. That's the direction I continue to follow.
8. DID YOU EVER TAKE PART IN ANY FOOTBALL STICKERS/CARDS FAIR ? IF YES, WHICH ONE ? DO YOU HAVE A FAIR YOU REALLY WANT TO GO TO ?
I haven't yet participated in any major sticker or card fairs. Life gets busy with work and family, but it's definitely on my bucket list.
In the future, I would love to attend events in Spain and the UK, two countries with rich football traditions and amazing collector communities. Many of my items come from Italy and Germany, and I'd be thrilled to connect with fellow collectors abroad.
9. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BRAND (PANINI/TOPPS/UPPER DECK/ETC.) ? AND COLLECTION ?
I have a special place in my heart for early 1960s Italian brands like SIDAM, Nannina, Lampo and obviously Panini Calciatori (from its golden era) plus German brands like Sicker-Verlag.
Those years produced timeless pieces featuring icons like Garrincha, Beckenbauer, Pelé, Yashin, Rivera, and so on ? true legends immortalized in beautiful, historic stickers.
10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF STICKERSONE.COM ?
I think StickersOne.com is a fantastic platform with huge potential. It's an excellent tool for collectors to navigate their collections, discover new cards, and expand their knowledge. It saves countless hours of research and provides access to treasures that might otherwise be very hard to find.
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/goal_grail_gallery/
Actually Soccer