Since his breakthrough in Serie A in the 2018-19 season, Nicolo Zaniolo has been a perpetual โWhat if?โ player. In his formative years, expectations were sky high after Roma acquired him from Inter. He was once the apple of the Giallorossiโs 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 midfielderโs responsibility to bear.
In an interview with La Repubblica, the creative Udinese midfielder discussed some of the mistakes heโs made throughout his career, reflecting on the type of pressure heโs endured along the way, particularly in Rome.
Speaking about some of his past pranks, the playmaker has no problem acknowledging his mistakes: โIs there something I wouldnโt do again? Of course, everyone has regrets.
โOn the one hand, I think that if Iโve got to this point, itโs because it had to be that way. On the other hand, I know Iโve made many mistakes in my career, partly due to the excessive media exposure Iโve been given from the beginning and the pressure Iโve had to endure. Being the talk of the town at 18, in a city like Rome, isnโt easy. Iโd 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 wouldnโt make them again.โ
Addressing the direct criticism from Mourinho in Rome, and his eventual departure, the 26-year-old continued, โHow did I cope? Perhaps outsiders didnโt see how much I suffered in having to leave Roma.
โIt 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 didnโt let it show, because I prefer to keep things to myself.โ
GIFNย |ย Max Bradfield
