Riccardo Calafiori’s burgeoning career could have been over before it even started, and that’s why our versatile Italian is desperate to make the most of every second he spends on the pitch.
An innocuous collision while playing for Roma's academy at 16 years old saw Riccardo tear every ligament in his left knee, as well as the meniscus and the articular capsule.
Doctors were not optimistic about his future in the sport, but the Italian used that as motivation to make a full recovery and make his professional debut for his hometown club in August 2020.
He revealed: “To be honest, I was lucky that I was so young, because I was 16. My only thoughts were coming back from the injury and just playing again, because, as you mentioned before, they said I would probably stop my career before it’s even started.
“So I just want to play again and that’s it.”
Nicknamed ‘Rupsa’ by his father, which means bulldozer in Italian, Riccy has battled his way to the top via Roma, Basel, Bologna and, in the summer of 2024, joining us on a long-term contract.
Working with our head coach, Mikel Arteta, was one of the fundamental reasons for swapping Serie A for the Premier League after a breakthrough Euro 2024 with Italy.
"I think the details, in everything. It’s something I’ve never seen before in a coach," he said. "Nothing is casual with him, we do everything on the training and mentally he’s strong.
“I was really excited because he showed me his idea and the project that he had for me and I couldn’t wait anymore to play for him because I think it was the right option to develop and to improve, to become a top player. That’s why I’m here and I want to keep going.”
Versatility is a key part of the Italian’s game, having played across the backline and in midfield during his career.
Given how his career began, Riccy revealed he's just happy to be on the pitch and is using his intensity to have a big impact in N5.
“One of my skills for sure is my intensity and my mental strength. What I like to do on the pitch is go go go during the whole game.
“I don’t mind playing left back, centre back, I want to play also as a midfielder if I have to. I just want to have fun on the pitch. It depends on the team and the idea of the coach.
For example, Mikel wants me to stay more inside, so I play more as a centre-back sometimes and when we attack, I can contact the ball so many times so I’m into the game and I like it. But last year, I did the same as a centre back so it depends.”
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