Ciro Immobile’s agent Marco Sommella has insisted that the Lazio captain preferred to stay in Rome rather than sign a big-money contract in Saudi Arabia in the summer, largely due to his enjoyment of playing in the Champions League.
The 33-year-old came off the bench to net both of Lazio’s goals during their 2-0 win over Celtic in the fifth round of Champions League group stage fixtures on Tuesday evening.
Sommella told Radio Sportiva, reported by Calciomercato, that Immobile’s double “was the norm.”
“It makes the news when he doesn’t do what he did the other night,” the agent joked during his interview on Thursday.
Immobile is now into his eighth season with Lazio, having joined from Sevilla in 2016.
With 162 Serie A goals for the Biancocelesti before the start of the 2023-24 season, it was reported by numerous outlets that the Lazio skipper could be close to moving on from the Stadio Olimpico.
Lazio had also brought in striker Taty Castellanos in a transfer worth a total of €20m including add-ons, meaning that Immobile’s place in the starting line-up is no longer a guarantee.
However, largely due to his love of the Champions League, Immobile’s agent insisted that he always wanted to stay on with Lazio.
“Unlike many others, he preferred to enjoy nights in the Champions League rather than move to somewhere like Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates. And he could have left as well.
“He puts his heart and soul into every match. The problem is a lack of respect. I remember two years ago (Lorenzo) Lucca scored a few goals for Pisa and the press wanted him to start for the national team. IT makes me laugh. The media put too much pressure on these guys.”
Asked whether Immobile could move on in the near future, Sommella replied: “Now is not the time. A choice was made with the Champions League, and he has been happy with the Biancocelesti for seven years.
“He has a lot of ambition. These emotions are priceless and cannot be made up for with oil money.”