Giaccherini: Worked at 15, owe it all to Conte, nearly died on pitch | OneFootball

Humble, tireless, and surprising. Emanuele Giaccherini, former midfielder of Juventus, Napoli, and the National team, shares his story of sacrifices, fears, and triumphs. From the factory to the dream of Euro 2016, through his friendship with Antonio Conte and an episode that brought him close to death on the field.

Giaccherini: “I worked as a laborer at 15. I owe everything to Conte. I almost died on the field”

Unlike many colleagues, Giaccherini truly knows what it means to be a laborer. “It was 2000, I was 15 years old and I asked my father to work in the factory. I woke up at 5:30, returned at 14:00. I built concrete prefabs, one of the toughest roles. That summer I understood what real hard work means.”

Graduated as a mechanical expert, Giaccherini still carries that experience as a life mark: “It taught me humility and the value of work.”

The meeting with Conte and the breakthrough at Juventus

The leap into professional football came thanks to the determination and trust of Antonio Conte. “Physically, I wasn’t a typical footballer, but I made up for it with running, willpower, and intelligence. Conte always told me I was strong. If it hadn’t been for him, I would never have reached Juventus.”

The most vivid memory? “My debut at the Stadium, Juve-Parma. I didn’t play well, but after the match, Conte wrote to me: ‘I know you can give me much more.’ That message reassured me and gave me strength.”

Euro 2016 and the embrace with Italy

The brightest moment of his career remains Euro 2016: “That National team was considered the underdog, but Conte built an army. After the goal against Sweden, I immediately looked for my parents in the stands. And before the penalty against Germany, I saw my life flash before my eyes: the sacrifices, the travels in Serie C, the difficulties. At that moment, in front of me was only Neuer, who seemed to grow bigger and bigger.”

“I almost died on the field”

During a youth match, an episode marked his life forever: “After a clash, a rib broke my spleen. They took me to the hospital and operated urgently: I had internal bleeding. I risked my life. Even today, I have to get three vaccines a year to compensate for the absence of the spleen.”

Napoli, the missed experience

After the European Championship, Giaccherini chose Sarri's Napoli. An adventure that didn’t take off. “I wanted to give back to the city what I had received, but it wasn’t possible. Sarri only saw me as a backup for Callejon and I didn’t fit into his system. It was a disappointment.”

A simple life, between family and roots

His love story with his wife began far from the spotlight: “I met her by chance at the parish bar. She made me work for it, but in the end, she understood that we would never be the classic footballer-showgirl couple.”

Today Giaccherini has returned to Talla, his hometown: “It’s my home. I live in Florence, but I spend summers in Talla and go back to mowing the lawn with my lifelong friends. I’ve remained one of them.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.