Totò Di Natale, Udinese’s historic flag bearer, spoke to the microphones of La Gazzetta dello Sport. Many topics t0ccessed by the former Udinese and Italian national team striker…
His words.
HIS BEGINNING AT EMPOLI. “I still remember the first train ride, from Castello di Cisterna to Empoli alone. I was 13 years old. I was lucky enough to meet men who formed me and allowed me to become what I have been.”
A TIP FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. “Be what you want to be, avoiding listening to family members from a football perspective because anyone thinks they have a Maradona at home. Have fun, be committed, train the talent if you have it or immerse yourself in hard work. Believe me it will do you good.”
ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL EXEMPLARIES OF ITALIAN FOOTBALL OF THE THIRD MILLENNIUM. “But also one who, when he first came to the national team, saw Del Piero, Totti, Montella, Inzaghi, Cannavaro, Maldini, Buffon, Nesta all at the table together and said, and what am I doing here?”
ON THE DONATELLO. “In 2013 it was in trouble, Simone Ronco called me and pulled me in. Now I’m the president of a company full of feelings and with about 60 people who are industrious so that we can build something, even a hope: there are more or less 230 kids, three nine-a-side soccer fields, one is regulation, renovations redone, and Renato, the secretary, is 90 years old and has been here for 37. We are a romantic enterprise.”
DONATELLO PRODUCES MANY TALENTS. “Meret started here. Also Scuffet, Vicario, Petagna, Crisetig, Padoin. There is a tradition that goes on, principles that endure: I left freedom, a lot, I intervene only if needed. I live in Empoli, but every two weeks we have a meeting, we compare, we check the needs and urgencies.”
IN 2010 HE SCORED 29 GOALS AND WAS CALLED BY SEVERAL TOP CLUBS SUCH AS NAPOLI, JUVENTUS, CITY AND FIORENTINA, BUT HE CHOSE TO STAY AT UDINESE. “I had just signed the renewal with Udinese and I was never tempted to betray that agreement with Giampaolo Pozzo. I never regretted that decision. I wanted to stay in Udine, to end my career here. That’s how it went.”
209 GOALS IN SERIE A, SIXTH ON ALL-TIME SCORERS LIST. “I don’t like to tell myself. I’m proud of my accomplishment, I wish it would happen to some of these kids now to feel that sense of fulfillment of having helped them in some way. We adults have a duty to send the right messages.”
THE COACH WHO MARKED HIS PATH THE MOST. “”Silvio Baldini, who at Empoli showed me, Marchionni, Maccarone and those who were chasing great soccer the right way.”
THE BEST FOOTBALLER IN HIS OPINION. “Baggio. I don’t think anyone has anything to say against him.”
IN HIS CAREER, DID DI NATALE RECEIVE ANYTHING LESS FROM THAT SEDUCTIVE BRILLIANCE? “I even think the exact opposite: I got more than I thought I would, I think I was lucky, I got in relation to my worth, and I am absolutely satisfied with my career.”
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