Talented Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci has opened up about his recent performances and the speculation surrounding his future. In an interview with Rai Sport, Ricci discussed his development as a player and the recent links to top clubs.
Reflecting on Italy’s recent match against Belgium, Ricci emphasized the importance of team sacrifice: “The value of sacrifice within a team is one of the most important things, as happened on Thursday with Belgium. Matches can become complicated, and it’s not for everyone to see them through. If you can’t win, maybe you draw. It gratifies us a lot, it means we have that value. Now we need to work and think about Israel.”
When asked about being linked with clubs like AC Milan and Manchester City, Ricci responded positively but cautiously: “Certainly it’s very pleasing, but I’ve learned to understand football a bit. When things are going well, you get linked to these clubs, and it’s gratifying because it means the work is right, the path is right.”
Ricci also discussed his playing style and the importance of awareness on the pitch: “Looking over my shoulder often? It can make the difference, then one must already be predisposed to a certain type of game. Being a midfielder isn’t trained like other things, but I’ve trained to turn my head. Many times it’s not even enough to look twice, in fact, you have to do it double. It’s something I’ve been taught, even Spalletti told me to do it a lot. It’s very important.”
The young midfielder credited his performance against France as a potential turning point in his career: “Yes, this is a bit of football. Maybe you play 100 games, then only one is considered. We immediately found ourselves united, there was a great performance from the team, for me it was the first after missing out on the Euros. Did everyone notice how strong Ricci is? Yes, definitely yes, because certain matches with certain players you have to play differently. I thought about doing what I knew, at my best, without overdoing it, and it went better that way.”
Regarding his role at Torino, Ricci acknowledged the demanding nature of the club’s fanbase: “Torino has a very demanding fan base? They deserve something more, it’s an important club with a history that almost no one has, and so rightly the fans are demanding. It’s right that we try to repay them worthily.”
