Former Roma fullback Riccardo Calafiori recounted his years in the Italian capital as a product of the club’s youth sector and growing up under the eye of Paulo Fonseca and Jose Mourinho before moving on to Basel in Switzerland.
“I dreamed of making my debut and playing for Roma. I achieved it all, then life and football led me to undertake other paths, but I have no regrets. I have beautiful memories from my time there,” he told Sky Sport.
“Before making my debut, I trained all year long with De Rossi who helped me get in shape. I was then helped along the way by the likes of Kolarov, Pellegrini and Dzeko.”
“Fonseca had little contact with the players and most of the time he left you on your own. I didn’t feel any pressure with him, I felt great.”
“On the other hand, you end up building a relationship with Mourinho, which is what he’s looking for.”
“I got on well with him, I had my chances but in the end it went the way it did. I took another path but I have good memories of both coaches. I hold no grudges.”
