Giuseppe Rossi: A Journey Through Triumphs, Challenges, and Life Beyond Football

In 2011, Giuseppe Rossi was one of the strongest Italian football talents around, followed by coaches like Antonio Conte or Guardiola. However, injuries have hindered his breakthrough. Today, the former playmaker has returned to live in the United States, the country where he was born, and in an interview with "Fanpage.it" he looked back on his career. From a young age, at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson: 'For him, his players were like sons. He was always there to talk to us, even about other things. I thought the relationship between coach and player was just sporting, but he taught me it can go beyond. I got along very well. I contacted him three or four years ago to see if there was a possibility of training with Manchester United, with Solskjaer. Cristiano Ronaldo? It wasn't just him, but also Wayne Rooney, for example. They were two or three years older than me, so they were already in the first team. It was nice to see young people who managed to make an immediate impact, it gave us boys more conviction.' Endrick, the Real Madrid footballer reveals the emotional contract with his girlfriend: 'Obliged to always say "I love you"' Giuseppe Rossi came close to Barcelona during Guardiola's time. After meeting CR7, he could have played with Lionel Messi: 'I came very close. I had a great season at Villarreal, with 35 goals scored that year. Guardiola wanted me to form the trident with Messi and David Villa. The contract with Barcelona was already prepared, then they failed to find an agreement. But Juventus also sought him: 'Exactly. The month after, Juve called me. I also had a chat with Conte. After Del Piero, they wanted me to be there, it was an offer I couldn't refuse. I went from Villarreal with the proposal of the Bianconeri: economically, it was much higher than what I was earning and they were willing to pay 30 million euros, 28 plus two in bonuses. It was all done, only that during that month Santi Cazorla had already been sold, a fundamental piece of our team, and they didn't want to sell all the best players. We were in the Champions League and so the aim was to do well there. They told me they couldn't let me go, so they locked me in a room and we tried to make a contract that would satisfy me. And I stayed.' For Pepito Rossi, however, the worst was yet to come. With injuries that tormented his body and mind: 'They were tough, very tough times. Also moments of loneliness: I felt alone because football is a strange world, which I see a bit fake, because when things are going well everyone is around you. Then when you have some injuries, like mine, they don't look at you. It's a shame, because I always thought that football off the field was an honest place. However, unfortunately when you grow up you learn more about the world you live in. I had to find the right people around me, namely my family. I was lucky to have them because I never wanted to give up the dream I had since I was little. A dream not only mine, but also of my father, my sister, my mother. If I have any regrets? No. Because I always managed to come back with the same enthusiasm, stronger, with the desire to fight and enjoy football. The one on the field, as much as possible.' Finally, about the future and a possible return to the world of football, Rossi concluded: Never say never. As a coach I see it difficult because there are many, many hours on the field, there's too much stress. As a player, I had a somewhat different path from the normal one, with many negative episodes regarding injuries that brought me a lot of stress. So I don't want to relive those moments. I prefer to enjoy it on the field with the kids. Then, maybe if there's a role at the level of director or whatever it may be, even at the ownership level, we'll see. What am I doing today? Being a dad.