As Giuseppe Rossi prepares for his farewell match in Florence at the age of 38, the Italian striker looked back on a career marked by both incredible highs and devastating setbacks in an interview with Corriere della Sera. The match, set to feature a star-studded lineup including Batistuta, Toldo, Toni, Cassano, Grosso, De Rossi, and Mario Gomez, will also be graced by the presence of legendary managers Claudio Ranieri and Sir Alex Ferguson.
Rossi’s journey in football began with a pivotal moment at Parma when he was just 17. “A Manchester United emissary came to Parma. He asked me to open my hand and gave me a pin with the team’s logo. I signed the contract in a restaurant, with my dad present,” Rossi recalls. This moment set the stage for a career that would see him score 132 goals, despite spending over a thousand days sidelined by injuries.
The striker’s relationship with his father played a crucial role in his development. “At 12, I left the United States to move to Parma. He came with me,” Rossi shares. “I didn’t speak the language well, the kids at school weren’t welcoming, I felt alone. I cried a lot.” His father’s unwavering support during this challenging time left a lasting impact on Rossi.
Tragedy struck in 2009 when Rossi’s father was diagnosed with cancer. “Mom hid everything from me, wanting to protect me. I remember the day she called me, I collapsed to the ground,” he recounts. The loss of his father became a driving force in his career. “After my father’s death, I scored 35 goals with Villarreal. I wanted to break everything to realize his dream.”
Rossi’s talent didn’t go unnoticed by top clubs. “Guardiola wanted me at Barcelona,” he reveals. “During the negotiations, I was in Acquaviva d’Isernia, my mom’s hometown. Three hundred inhabitants, no cell phone reception. I walked around with my arms in the air looking for a signal.” Unfortunately, the deal fell through, and Barcelona signed Alexis Sanchez instead.
Another near-miss came with Juventus. “I was supposed to be Del Piero’s successor,” Rossi says. “I was in the car with my uncle, him driving and me in the back talking on the phone with Marotta and Conte. They offered almost 30 million euros, but Villarreal had just returned to the Champions League and didn’t feel like selling me.”
Reflecting on his injury struggles, Rossi notes, “Injuries like that take away a year, and I had five in my career. The pain is great, as is the time spent alone. Football is a false world. Until the day before, everyone wanted me, then no one.”
Rossi also touches on his national team disappointments. “In 2010, Lippi didn’t take me to the World Cup. I had always played, qualifications and friendlies. After my dad’s death, I stayed home for a month and a half, and he didn’t think I was psychologically ready.” He adds, “Then Prandelli kept me out of the 2014 one. He didn’t think I was physically fit, but the tests said otherwise.”
