Armenia's dream of victory is shattered, but Matteo Trullu is making a name for himself on the Junior Eurovision Song Contest stage. The 14-year-old winner of "The Voice Kids," from Decimomannu, dazzles on stage at the 24th edition of the competition for under-16s from across Europe with "Che cos'è l'amore?" (What is love?), holding the Italian flag high. At the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali, a successful, understated, and effective performance was held, designed to give full scope to the voice and skill of the very young Sardinian musician, who, with piano and electric guitar , took full advantage of the first year in which the competition rules allowed him to play live.
Alongside him was dancer Giulia Pincella, further enhancing the song written by Gregorio Castellani, Fabio Zanolini, and Luca Faccini. The finale featured fireworks, followed by a farewell to the international audience: "Thank you Italy, thank you Europe." Matteo, tenth of sixteen contestants, received hundreds of messages of support from all over Italy and Sardinia, including Uta, Assemini, San Sperate, and, of course, Decimomannu. These messages were read live by Mario Acampa, who hosted the Italian edition. Three Maltese talents took to the stage: Destiny Chukunyere, , Keane Cutajar and Gaia Cauchi.
For the multi-instrumentalist from Decimomannu (who, in addition to piano and guitar, can also play drums), this is the culmination of a journey that began as a child, as he explained on Radiolina's "Sala Prove," between the Piccolo Coro di San Sperate and his early love for the electric guitar. In February 2026, playing for Nek's team, after captivating audiences with rock classics, he won the title with Michael Sembello's "Maniac," the soundtrack to the 1983 film "Flashdance," playing his inseparable electric guitar on the famous solo. Now, this is an adventure that the first-year student at Siotto High School, as well as the Cagliari Conservatory, has experienced with his family and the support of many artists, from Nek and Antonella Clerici, who appealed for voters, to Samurai Jay and Omar Pedrini, with whom he shared the stage.
The community also embraced him from Decimomannu, with Mayor Monica Cadeddu leaving for Malta to cheer him on: "I'm leaving for Malta to support, on behalf of the entire Decimomannu community, our Matteo Trullu, who will represent Italy at the Junior Eurovision. I hope Matteo lives this experience to the fullest, has fun, is excited, and enjoys every moment. Good luck, Matteo, the whole of Decimomannu is cheering you on!"
Even before the result, blessed by the performances of the reigning winners, Bulgarian Dara for the adults and Frenchwoman Lou Deleuze for the children, for her parents Michela and Davide and for her little brother Andrea, a competitor in the 2024 Zecchino d'Oro, the victory had already arrived: "We're proud of you: no matter the vote or the ranking, for us you've already won. Come on, Matteo, we're all with you."