A new novel by Italian writer Luca Leone has just been released in Italy. Titled Il tempo sbagliato (The Wrong Time), the book blends football, personal redemption, and the unpredictable turns of life into a reflective and emotional story.
A Story About Second Chances
The novel follows Giuseppe, a former football coach who has experienced both the highs and lows of the sport — success and failure, glory and guilt.
Now living in Rome, Giuseppe leads a quiet and somewhat solitary life. His days are brightened only by the laughter of his grandson Giacomo, who represents a second chance for him: a reminder that life can still hold meaning and purpose.
But, as in football, everything can change in an instant.
An unexpected encounter with Letizia, a young mother with a fragile smile, and the sudden return of an old friend force Giuseppe to confront the past he thought he had left behind. Old wounds reopen, memories resurface, and the protagonist must face the consequences of choices made long ago.
Because in The Wrong Time, the title refers not just to a missed pass on the pitch — but to the moment when life takes control and nothing is ever the same again.
The Author
Born in Rome in 1972, Luca Leone combines his professional background in technology with a deep passion for storytelling, sports, and culture.
Among his previous works:
- “Jack” (Albatros), a thriller blending technology and suspense
- “Solo come in area di rigore” (Infinito Edizioni), the story of a Benfica goalkeeper
- “HARLEM” (Infinito Edizioni), centered on friendship and street basketball in New York
Leone has also published poetry in the anthology Mediterraneo (Robin Edizioni). He writes for FootballNews24, collaborates with the Overtime Festival, and serves as an ambassador for Benfica.
With Il tempo sbagliato, Leone returns to one of his central themes: sport as a metaphor for life, where every decision, every mistake, and every opportunity can change the final score.
