Spezia midfielder Daniele Verde still dreams of playing for Napoli one day: ‘I have blue blood, the blood of my city’. The 26-year-old has finally settled in La Spezia after spending the bulk of his early career on loan around Italy and Europe, playing for the likes of Avellino, Real Valladolid and AEK Athens. Speaking with Canadian broadcaster TLN, Verde talked about making the return to Serie A in 2020, his wondergoal against Lazio, and his special bond with the Spezia supporters:
On signing for Spezia
“In the beginning, there was a different type of ‘club’ and there was a director who wanted me strongly. for me these are the basics meaning that if someone strongly wants you it’s difficult to refuse no matter what.”
On his relationship with supporters- The 26-year-old has a terrific relationship with the fanbase. Last year, he made a promise to the fans – he said that if Spezia didn’t get relegated that he would dye his beard white.
“Since I came here three years ago, it’s like I had lived here for a long time. I immediately found a community and a warm family ready to welcome me and this feeling stuck with these spectacular fans that i will never forget – that i will always carry in my heart.”
Favourite memories at the Stadio Alberto Picco
“Personally, I like the moments of happiness. so on a personal level, i can tell you it was last year, scoring in the derby and winning it against Sampdoria. In terms of the team, it was the last few games at the stadium, with the joy and celebration of the fans as we managed to stay in Serie A.”
On the wonder goal against Lazio
“I don’t know, maybe that’s what the lord wanted. myself, I never would have thought it happened so quickly – after days and weeks, I finally realized the nice gesture I made. I didn’t understand anything in the moment. my teammates repeated it to me but I didn’t hear any voices. they kept telling me that I had scored a great goal but I didn’t understand anything.”
Napoli return on the cards?
“It’s always nice, maybe living in your city. You know all of us have these things as a child – these dreams that one always thinks of reaching, even unknowingly. So playing for my city has always been that dream for me. I have blue blood – the blood of my city.”
Would he ever make the move to MLS?
“It’s often talked about here in Italy. In recent years it has grown a lot both as a brand and as a league. there are many fellow countrymen and many foreigners who transfer there so we hear about it often. to tell you the truth, I wouldn’t mind it because of the experience beyond everything – it’s a different culture, everything is very different.”
On swapping jerseys with Lionel Messi
“I had asked already at the beginning of the game if he wanted to exchange it afterwards and he had told me yes. At the end of the game I reminded him – he took off his shirt and gave it to me. For me, I might as well stop playing football – his jersey is the ultimate level.”
