Bologna centreback and former Giallorossi player Riccardo Calafiori recounted his close rapport with Daniele De Rossi during their shared time in the Italian capital.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Calafiori – one of Italy’s brightest young stars at the moment – spoke fondly of the legendary Roma captain.
“An important bond was formed in his final year as a player. We spent a lot of time together, I never expected that,” said Calafiori in reference to the 2018/2019 season.
“If I think back to those days, when we were in the car together: it was almost a dream for me. He accompanied me home and took me to Trigoria, I don’t know what went through his mind to do this with me. He certainly saw that I was in a difficult moment, given that it was the period in which I was injured,” he added, in reference to his ACL injury.
“He saw that I was a good guy and he helped me in this regard. In any case, even afterwards, for any important decision I consulted his opinion. The other week we met on the field and it was very strange, but he’s doing well too and I hope he continues like this. On the day of his retirement, when he went around the pitch saying goodbye to all of us, the last person he hugged was me: I burst into tears, I couldn’t do it.”
“It had been too emotional for me. I didn’t want him to stop because the following year I would return and train with him in the first team. Instead he then went to Boca.”
