In a candid interview with Tyc Sport in Argentina, former striker Pablo Daniel Osvaldo has made some surprising revelations about his time in Italian football, particularly at Juventus. The ex-Roma, Inter, and Fiorentina player also opened up about his recent struggle with depression and a potential move to Napoli that never materialized.
Osvaldo, who spent six months at Juventus from January to June 2014, disclosed the existence of a designated smoking area for players: “When I was at Juventus, we had our own smoking room. Even when we traveled with the team, we would smoke outside the airport while we were going. Those who don’t know these things is because they’ve never played in Italy.”
Regarding his battle with depression, Osvaldo expressed gratitude for the support he received: “I’m doing well now. Thanks to the help of my friends and family, I’m returning to being the Dani I’ve always been. Healthy and cheerful, far from the old version. When I published the video, many told me they were experiencing the same situation, that they were fighting depression even though they might appear happy and content on the surface.”
The former striker also mentioned the solidarity he received from fellow players: “De Rossi, Totti, Perrotta wrote to me, as did other former teammates I had at Roma. They told me I wasn’t alone. Along with them, players from all over the world contacted me, some I’ve never even met. I felt supported and loved. I needed that.”
Osvaldo also revealed a near-move to Napoli that didn’t come to fruition: “I would have liked to play for Napoli. There was a period when they wanted me strongly, but in the end they signed Higuain.”
