Former Juventus defender and current football executive Nicola Legrottaglie opened up about his journey in football, his faith, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. With 154 appearances in the black-and-white jersey and a career spanning decades, Legrottaglie shared anecdotes from his time at Juventus and beyond, offering a glimpse into his unique perspective on life and sport.
The Infamous Flip-Flop Presentation
Legrottaglie’s arrival at Juventus in 2003 was marked by an unusual incident: his presentation in flip-flops. “I was at the beach when my agent called me to rush to Turin for talks with Juventus. I arrived, and Moggi wanted me to sign immediately. He organized the presentation on the spot. I asked him, ‘How can I do this dressed like this?’ And he said, ‘Don’t worry, just a couple of questions.’ Instead, it turned into a full event.”
The flip-flop incident led to criticism early in his Juventus career. “At the first difficulties with Juventus, I was portrayed as arrogant because of the flip-flop story. But I wasn’t being cocky; I was just genuine.”
Faith as a Turning Point
Legrottaglie’s life took a transformative turn at 28 when he embraced his faith more deeply. “Up until then, I hadn’t held back with women and lived selfishly in relationships. But I realized that wasn’t the meaning of life. The Bible helped me change my path.”
His faith became an integral part of his identity, even drawing comments from opponents. “Some attackers would call me ‘the priest’ during matches to try to unsettle me. When I started coaching, rival benches would yell at me: ‘Shut up, priest!’”
Despite this, Legrottaglie found support among teammates. “I shared my faith with others like Kakà and his mother—we had beautiful evenings singing and listening to biblical messages. God is the ultimate motivator; I’ve believed that since I was a child serving as an altar boy.”
Relationships with Coaches and Players
Reflecting on his experiences with coaches, Legrottaglie admitted there were challenges but ultimately forgave those who treated him poorly. “I’ve forgiven all my coaches—even Mazzone. People spoke highly of him, but we didn’t click in Bologna. He blamed me for everything and even sent his assistant to tell me to walk differently or cut my hair. But looking back, even those negative experiences helped me grow.”
When asked about the best coach he worked under, Legrottaglie said: “I’ve had the top of the top—Lippi, Capello, Allegri, Trapattoni with Italy. Ranieri revived my career at Juventus; I’m not surprised he’s doing the same with Roma.”
He also shared memories of teammates at Juventus: “Nedved was the most disciplined—he’d be in bed by 9 p.m., never attending dinners. Camoranesi was eccentric but kind; he joked that ‘with all my fines for being late, I’m funding charity projects.’ And Tudor? Sometimes Igor would have his moments—he’d rip off his bib during training and storm off.”
Life Beyond Football
Legrottaglie has turned down multiple offers to participate in reality TV shows like Big Brother or Celebrity Island. “I’ve been offered everything over the years but always refused—even big money offers. Never say never, but right now my focus is entirely on football.”
Looking ahead, Legrottaglie sees himself as a manager rather than a coach. “After playing and coaching, I feel my path is in management—working with human resources and shaping teams. At Sampdoria, I gained valuable experience as a director. My inspiration is Leonardo; I aspire to follow his model.”
A Dream Yet to Be Realized
Despite his accomplishments in football, Legrottaglie holds onto one dream: missionary work in Africa. “I’d love to experience being a missionary there someday. But Africa isn’t just far away—it’s everywhere: starting with our neighbors or colleagues at work. We should aim to create missions within our own cities by bringing people together.”
