Andrea Belotti says that while he was a Milan fan growing up, he sees his future at Torino. “I’m already at a big club.”
Belotti was heavily linked with Milan in the summer of 2017 until Toro priced him out of a transfer, and the striker admits he has spent his career trying to ‘emulate’ Rossoneri icon Andriy Shevchenko.
“Gattuso was my first Coach at Palermo,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
Andrea Belotti says that while he was a Milan fan growing up, he sees his future at Torino. “I’m already at a big club.”
Belotti was heavily linked with Milan in the summer of 2017 until Toro priced him out of a transfer, and the striker admits he has spent his career trying to ‘emulate’ Rossoneri icon Andriy Shevchenko.
“Gattuso was my first Coach at Palermo,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“However, I didn’t spend long with him because I came at the end of the transfer window, so I wasn’t with the team for preseason.
“Two weeks later I went with the national team. When I arrived the season had already started and I spent four weeks with him.
“It wasn’t that long, but it was enough time to get to know him. He was sacked after Bari-Palermo and he started me in that game.
“Still, for me it was exciting because, being a Milan fan as a child, having an ex-Rossoneri player as a Coach, someone I’d cheered for, was something magical.
“Then Iachini arrived and we started winning. My idol has always been Shevchenko, not just for being the extraordinary player he was to me.
“I’ve always admired him because he was a lad who never talked about himself outside of football.
“He was a great worker, a professional, he showed everything on the field and that was it.
“It was something that struck me and I’ve tried to emulate him by working more than talking.”
The 25-year-old was subsequently rewarded for his loyalty by being given the Granata’s captaincy, although he has not played for Italy since last October…
“I see my future here because I’ve been at Torino for four years,” he assured.
“I’m already at a big club, with a fantastic bunch of lads, and I’ve always thought that Turin is a beautiful city.
“If I have to say a place where I see my future then definitely Torino. Everyone dreams of playing for their national team.
“I won’t deny that for me it’s always given me an incredible buzz. When I wear the Azzurri jersey, I treat it as an honour to represent my country.
“It’s difficult to explain, but it’s a unique emotion. That’s why I hope to return and I’m working to make it happen.”