Nicolo Zaniolo on Roma stint: “It was and remains a club I love” | OneFootball

Since his breakthrough in Serie A in the 2018-19 season, Nicolo Zaniolo has been a perpetual ‘What if?’ player. In his formative years, expectations were sky high after Roma acquired him from Inter. He was once the apple of the Giallorossi’s eye, but for all the glimmering highs, there have been difficult lows.

Some of these have been out of his hands, like his two devastating ACL tears. Yet, others, like struggles with fitness and discipline, have very much been the midfielder’s responsibility to bear.

In an interview with La Repubblica, the creative Udinese midfielder discussed some of the mistakes he’s made throughout his career, reflecting on the type of pressure he’s endured along the way, particularly in Rome.

Speaking about some of his past pranks, the playmaker has no problem acknowledging his mistakes: “Is there something I wouldn’t do again? Of course, everyone has regrets.

“On the one hand, I think that if I’ve got to this point, it’s because it had to be that way. On the other hand, I know I’ve made many mistakes in my career, partly due to the excessive media exposure I’ve been given from the beginning and the pressure I’ve had to endure. Being the talk of the town at 18, in a city like Rome, isn’t easy. I’d challenge anyone not to get a little cocky. I was wrong to feel a little too high. Many mistakes are due to that. Now I acknowledge them; if I could do it again, I wouldn’t make them again.”

Addressing the direct criticism from Mourinho in Rome, and his eventual departure, the 26-year-old continued, “How did I cope? Perhaps outsiders didn’t see how much I suffered in having to leave Roma.

“It was and remains a club I love. I had a great time there, and it was hard to part with the fans, the club, and the people. Maybe I didn’t let it show, because I prefer to keep things to myself.”

GIFN | Max Bradfield