Fiorentina talent Federico Bernardeschi discussed links to Inter, Barcelona and Juventus, but doesn’t regret turning down Manchester United.
The Viola starlet is at the centre of controversy after Paulo Sousa declared he belonged at a “more ambitious” club than Fiorentina.
“Nobody knows the future,” Bernardeschi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Fiorentina talent Federico Bernardeschi discussed links to Inter, Barcelona and Juventus, but doesn’t regret turning down Manchester United.
The Viola starlet is at the centre of controversy after Paulo Sousa declared he belonged at a “more ambitious” club than Fiorentina.
“Nobody knows the future,” Bernardeschi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I did read those reports that said I could go to Inter one day, but then I also read the same about Barcelona and Juve. In football almost everything is smoke and mirrors, so I focus on what’s real.”
There was already talk of Manchester United when Bernardeschi was still in the Fiorentina youth academy.
“That rumour was going around. I was proud, of course, but the idea didn’t excite me that much. I was happy in Florence and knew that I’d become a football player in any case. I believe in destiny and felt this was my path.
“At the time Fiorentina said no, so did my father and I had the final word. I don’t regret turning down Manchester United. Now that I am 22, I look back at 17-year-old me and confirm it was the right choice. You go abroad when you are already a player, not still a kid.”
Bernardeschi had some ups and downs during his career, including a spell when he was ordered to stay off the pitch for six months due to an enlarged heart.
“The moment I got home from the doctor’s visit, I punched holes in two pieces of furniture and a door. It was more anger than depression. At times you lose your way, but it was only a moment, because my family, friends and God helped keep me grounded.
“It was a hellish six months: I couldn’t push myself physically, let alone play football, so I cried a lot. After six months the tests showed my heart was the same size as before – it wasn’t enlarged because of physical strain, I had simply grown 16cm in a year and the heart went with it.
“I felt like a lightbulb – I’d been switched off, but they brought back the light.”
Meanwhile, Fiorentina visit Inter on Monday evening at the Stadio Meazza.
“With Inter it’s one of those games where you think: ‘I have a really great job.’ At San Siro, everything is worth double too.
“Stefano Pioli is a solid guy, so I’m sure they’ll get out of this difficult moment.”