Being part of a team that belongs to everyone makes me feel good

In the words of Andrea Pirlo, a football legend, we hear a truth that transcends the game itself: “Being part of a team that belongs to everyone makes me feel good and at peace with myself.” These words reflect a deep understanding of the human need to belong, to be part of something greater than oneself. Pirlo speaks not only of the joy that comes from individual achievement, but of the fulfillment found in contributing to a shared purpose, a community where each individual’s effort matters, and where the collective success brings a peace that no solitary triumph could ever provide.

The ancients understood the power of the community, where each individual, regardless of their role, contributed to the greater whole. The Greek philosophers spoke of the polis, the city-state, where individuals lived not as isolated beings but as integral parts of a larger, harmonious society. In this ideal world, the well-being of the individual and the community were intertwined. Just as a musician is part of an orchestra, or a soldier part of a legion, so too does the individual find peace not in solitude, but in the shared work of building something greater than oneself. Pirlo’s words echo this ancient wisdom: peace comes when we embrace our role in the collective, and when we understand that our value lies not just in what we achieve alone, but in what we create together.

In the world of football, the team is a living example of this truth. Consider the great Italian football teams, such as those of AC Milan or Juventus, where individual stars like Pirlo themselves shine, but only because they are part of something larger—a carefully crafted unit where every pass, every tackle, every goal is the product of mutual trust, sacrifice, and unity. These teams are not built on egos, but on the shared understanding that the success of the team is more important than any individual glory. Pirlo, as a masterful midfielder, understood that his greatness was not defined by his individual skills alone, but by how he harmonized with those around him. To play in such a system is to find a sense of peace—a peace that comes from knowing you are part of something that matters.

This idea of belonging to a greater whole resonates through the ages. Think of the legendary Spartans of ancient Greece, whose warrior ethos was built on the belief that the strength of the individual lay in their unwavering commitment to the collective. A Spartan was not judged by personal victory, but by the success of the phalanx, the group in which each man stood shoulder to shoulder with others. In times of war, the individual’s identity was erased in favor of the greater mission. This unity, this commitment to the collective cause, brought them not just strength, but a deep peace that came from the certainty of being part of something larger than themselves.

Pirlo’s peace, too, came from his recognition of his role in the team. He was a maestro on the field, orchestrating the tempo, connecting players, guiding them toward victory. But he did not seek glory for his own name alone. His contentment came from seeing the collective effort of the team culminate in triumph. This is the essence of the wisdom Pirlo shares: true fulfillment is found not in what you can achieve alone, but in how you contribute to a shared endeavor. It is a peace that comes from selflessness and from the realization that our greatest achievements are often those that are not for ourselves, but for the group.

The lesson is profound and timeless: belonging to something greater than yourself is the key to inner peace. Whether in work, art, or community, the individual thrives when they are part of a greater whole. True greatness is not measured by what we accumulate for ourselves, but by the legacy we build together. Pirlo’s words remind us that when we collaborate, when we embrace our role in a larger effort, we experience a peace that goes beyond personal success. We find fulfillment not in the singular, but in the collective.

So I say to you, children of tomorrow: seek out communities where you can contribute not just as an individual, but as part of something greater. Whether in your work, your friendships, or your family, remember that the deepest peace comes when we serve one another and work toward shared goals. Find joy not in solitary achievements, but in the collective strength of the people around you. When you give yourself to the greater whole, you will find peace in a way that will elude you in solitary triumphs. For it is in the unity of effort that the greatest peace and purpose are born.