Italian goalkeeper Valerio Vimercati, born in 1995 and trained at AC Milan’s academy, has been playing in the Armenian Premier League since 2021. During this time, he has played for Noah and Ararat-Armenia, and he is now defending the colors of Alashkert. In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vimercati shared his impressions of football culture in Armenia.
On Football and Fans in Armenia
“Football is very popular here. Matches are broadcast on television and YouTube, and I was surprised to see that game videos get 15,000 to 20,000 views. However, there aren’t many spectators in the stadiums, even though entry is often free or tickets cost at most 1,000 drams (about 1-2 euros). At the same time, the national team enjoys massive support. People recognize the players, follow their careers, and feel a real connection to them. In recent years, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has stood out the most—his popularity is enormous.”
On Italian Influence in Armenia
“They love Italy here. Just walking through the city, you can see many Italian restaurants and stores with Italian names. I’ve met many AC Milan fans—maybe because I support the club myself (laughs) and I notice them. They often gather in bars and cafés in the city center to watch Serie A matches together.”
Valerio Vimercati is now in his fifth season in Armenia. The goalkeeper, who bears a resemblance to Ronaldinho, became especially memorable last season when he helped Noah eliminate his current team, Alashkert, from the Armenian Cup in a penalty shootout. Vimercati saved a shot and then converted the decisive penalty himself.