Gianluca Busio, 22, will anchor the USMNT U-23 side’s midfield as they kick off the Olympic soccer tournament against hosts France. Busio’s Olympic feature is just one of many grand chapters in his life, which itself reads like a feel-good movie. His father, Alessandro’s first meeting with his mother, Dionne, was straight out of a romance novel. Furthermore, when Busio set out to fulfill his soccer prophecy, the world conspired with him to ensure he had a home 1,000 miles away from his family.

Seems interesting? Let’s dive deeper into some of the most significant and captivating episodes in Gianluca Busio and his family’s glittering life. Since the Busio family was a regular at their son’s Sporting Kansas City games, we can expect them to be in Paris to watch the USMNT.

Meet Gianluca Busio’s father Alessandro and mother Dionne

Gianluca Busio’s father, Alessandro Busio, migrated to North Carolina from Brescia, Italy. Although he guided his two sons into soccer, Alessandro is not a player himself. Instead, he worked as a technician for an Italian textile company in North Carolina. He frequently visited the company’s outlet in Greensboro, where he met his future wife, Dionne. Dionne, a South Bronx native and African American, worked as a server in Greensboro while pursuing her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

One day, Dionne met Alessandro Busio, who was in Greensboro for work. Upon seeing the Italian man, Dionne told her friend that she was going to marry him! Dionne and Alessandro have been together since then and have raised three children, including the USMNT Olympian. Having earned a PhD from UNC Greensboro, Dionne currently works as an assistant professor of family and childhood studies at Appalachian State University.

Dionne has repeatedly shared pictures of their family cheering on Gianluca Busio during his Sporting KC days. However, she was once worried about her son moving to KC as a 14-year-old to pursue a soccer career. But Dionne’s concerns soon subsided, thanks to the wonderful Tiedt family.

Gianluca Busio’s unrelated family

Paul and Sarah Tiedt, who lived in Prairie Village, made their home a part of Sporting Kansas City’s residential program. They welcomed a 14-year-old Gianluca Busio into their home in 2016 when he joined the KC club’s soccer academy. Busio, to this day, rushes to his home away from home to celebrate his birthday with the Tiedts. Paul and Sarah Tiedt, in turn, see Gianluca Busio as a role model for their children, Alex and Anna. Alex and Anna are like siblings to Busio. But what about his real siblings? Let’s find out.

Meet Gianluca Busio’s siblings

The USMNT midfielder has an older brother named Matteo, who has also ventured into soccer. Matteo plays for the Charlotte 49ers men’s soccer team that competes in the NCAA tournament. Gianluca Busio often credits his brother as a significant inspiration for his soccer career. As the USMNT star recalls, a young Matteo used to dribble around their house while he had not even started walking. Gianluca Busio also has an older sister named Ilaria. There’s no detailed information about Ilaria, but she has been a regular at Gianluca’s Sporting KC games.

What are your thoughts on Gianluca Busio’s heartwarming stories of love and family bonding? Tell us in the comments.