Roma wing-back Leonardo Spinazzola has admitted that he was stung by Inter’s decision to pull out of a deal for him at the last minute due to fitness concerns.
The former Juventus defender had been on the verge of a switch to the Nerazzurri in January 2020, in a deal that would have seen Matteo Politano go the other way, only for Inter to cancel the deal following a medical.
Spinazzola since found form at Roma and became a key figure at the Stadio Olimpico, before starring at Euro 2020 until a ruptured achilles tendon ended his tournament at the quarter-final stage. In an interview with IlRomanista.eu, the defender pointed to the collapsed transfer as the turning point.
“Yes, it hurt me to be called lame, from that episode I found all the strength in the world to recover and to show everyone what I am,” Spinazzola claimed of Inter’s decision.
“Now nothing scares me anymore. I am much calmer mentally. I have the best job in the world, I have a wonderful family and we are fine. What more could I ask for?”
Despite the serious injury suffered during Italy’s clash against Belgium, Spinazzola was remaining optimistic and was targeting a return to action in November, well ahead of his post-Christmas expected comeback.
“I know very well that there are those who talk about January, February and maybe even March, but I say that in November I’ll be back on the pitch. Then maybe I’ll be wrong, we’ll see.
“I felt a shot. As I ran, I was looking out of the corner of my eye and hoping to see someone behind me who had hit me. When I realised that there was no one there I knew immediately that the tendon was broken. But there was no pain. I cried only because I realised what I would miss,” he added.
Spinazzola has scored four goals in 71 appearances for Roma and enjoyed a strong season last term, as he helped the Giallorossi reach the semi-finals of the Europa League.
