Zaniolo: I know I’ve made mistakes, I ‘suffered’ when I left Roma | OneFootball

Nicolò Zaniolo feels ‘more mature’ at Udinese as he admits he’s made ‘mistakes in his career and ‘suffered’ when he left Roma.

The Italian striker joined Udinese on an initial loan deal from Galatasaray on deadline day and aims to revive his career at the Bluenergy Stadium.

“I feel good. I know I’ve made mistakes in the past, but there’s no going back. I think about it today. Here in Udine, with Udinese, I feel great,” Zaniolo told Repubblica.

Zaniolo: ‘Everyone has regrets’

VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 23: Nicolo Zaniolo of Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between Verona and Fiorentina at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 23, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“I know that in life, there are steps you need to take to grow. The way I spoke and behaved three or four years ago made me seem more superficial. I didn’t have experience and today I feel more mature.

“Everyone has regrets. On the one hand, I think that if I’ve reached this point, it’s because it was meant to happen this way,” Zaniolo continued.

“On the other hand, I know that in my career I’ve made a lot of mistakes also due to the excessive media exposure I received from the very beginning and the pressure I had to endure. Being on everyone’s lips at 18, in a city like Rome, isn’t easy. I’d challenge anyone not to get carried away. I was wrong to think too highly of myself. Many mistakes came from that. Now I recognise them, and if I could go back, I wouldn’t make them again.”

Zaniolo left Roma in the 2023 winter transfer window to join Galatasaray. He then played for Aston Villa, Atalanta and Fiorentina on loan, but failed to match expectations.

“Maybe from the outside, it wasn’t perceived how much I suffered when I had to leave Roma,” he claimed.

“It was and still is a club I love. I had a wonderful time there, and it was hard to part ways with the fans, the club and the people. Maybe I didn’t show it, because I prefer to keep things inside.”

The 26-year-old made his last Italy appearance in 2024 in a friendly against Ecuador, but aims to return to the Azzurri squad under new coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Zaniolo aims for Italy return

Italy forward Nicolo Zaniolo reacts during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Group C football match between Italy and North Macedonia at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on November 17, 2023. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP) (Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images)

“It has always been my goal, even before that, it was my dream as a child,” he said.

“Representing Italy is wonderful. With that jersey on, you bring together the fans of Inter, Milan, Juve, Roma and Lazio. Everyone is united in the same belief.”

Zaniolo has scored one goal in his four appearances across all competitions with Udinese so far this season.

The Bianconeri have two different options to sign him on a permanent deal at the end of the season, as they can either pay €5m, leaving Galatasaray a 50% sell-on clause, or €10m.

Udinese have also paid €3m for Zaniolo’s one-season loan.