Torino defender Cristian Ansaldi believes his performances develop with every season at the Granata and intends to ‘keep playing until I’m 40’.
The Argentine left-back initially arrived on a two-year loan in August 2017 but convinced the Granata to spend €2.5m to bring him on a permanent deal in July 2019.
His current contract with the Toro expires next summer and the veteran has claimed he wants to extend his stay at the Grande Torino.
Torino defender Cristian Ansaldi believes his performances develop with every season at the Granata and intends to ‘keep playing until I’m 40’.
The Argentine left-back initially arrived on a two-year loan in August 2017 but convinced the Granata to spend €2.5m to bring him on a permanent deal in July 2019.
His current contract with the Toro expires next summer and the veteran has claimed he wants to extend his stay at the Grande Torino.
“I’m very happy to be in Turin, all the people love me here and everything becomes a lot easier when you feel good in a team and in the city,” he said in a chat with singer Angelo Maugeri on Instagram. “My performances grow from season to season due to the trust.
“If God wants it and [President Urbano] Cairo will allow me to continue here, I want to play until I’m 40.”
But this season, currently suspended due to the coronavirus emergency, has been difficult for the Torino players.
Walter Mazzarri lost his job in February, after a run of four consecutive defeats and humiliating results against Atalanta and Lecce. Urbano Cairo appointed Moreno Longo as his successor, but the Granata have yet to pick up a point under the former right-back.
“In the event of a return to the field, we hope to start picking up points,” Ansaldi added. “We are professionals and we all have to train at home to keep fit, even if I like to eat.
“I love pasta carbonara, but I eat it once every two weeks because otherwise I would gain weight. I’m 34 years old this year, if I don’t watch my diet, it becomes a problem.”
Ansaldi has played 16 games for Torino this term, contributing four goals and three assists in the process, with the side currently 15th in Serie A this term.