Riccardo Calafiori spoke about his first-ever call-up to the senior national team, dismissing talk about his future. The 22-year-old has been closely linked with a move to Juventus this summer, but speaking at the Azzurri training camp, Calafiori focused solely on his experiences with the Azzurri:
“I am absolutely thrilled with everything that’s happening. Being here is a tremendous satisfaction and a dream come true. From Bologna, I want to bring the calm, the tranquility, and the enjoyment that is essential for doing this job.”
Calafiori continued to reflect on his growth over the past year:
“The biggest improvement has been on the mental front. I approached the transition from Basel to Serie A as if nothing had changed, even though the Italian league is much more competitive. I worked incredibly hard.”
Commenting on his stint in Switzerland, Calafiori shared:
“With Mourinho, I initially got some playing time, but things went poorly when I moved to Genoa. Meanwhile, in Rome, other players’ stock was rising, and the opportunity with Basel came up. It wasn’t my choice; I was almost forced to go there because it was the only option left. However, from day one, I realized it was a positive move, and I found the consistency I always lacked, playing thirty matches.”
Looking ahead, Calafiori is poised to be a key player in the transfer market this summer:
“I’m not thinking about the future right now. I’m with the national team, and I want to enjoy this first call-up. I will give everything to make it to the European Championship. I want to focus on that. How do I handle transfer rumors? The secret is to not change anything in my approach, just like I did all season, staying the same player I was in Basel.”
