Domenico Criscito revealed that he turned down an offer from Toronto FC in the January transfer window in order to help in Genoa’s bid to avoid relegation.
The 35-year-old Italian defender’s contract expires with the Rossoblu next year and MLS side Toronto were keen to pick him up in January, adding an experienced player to their backline. The Canadian side also confirmed Lorenzo Insigne’s move on a free transfer in that period and it was clear that they had their eyes set on Serie A.
Speaking to Il Secolo XIX, Criscito discussed Toronto’s offer and why he turned it down.
“In 2018 I returned after seven years and in the past months I received an offer from Toronto, but it didn’t seem right to leave the team in these conditions. Then various injuries stopped me and I was so sorry not to have been able to help my teammates in so many games.”
The Genoa veteran then commented on the penalty he missed in the key 1-0 derby defeat to Sampdoria.
“It has been a very hard week. That penalty parried by Audero is a mistake I will always carry with me.”
Finally, Criscito commented on his successful penalty in the 2-1 comeback win over Juventus.
I only looked where the ball was, I went to get it to shoot. I just wanted to score, I had nothing else in my head.
What worked this time? I was calmer. And with Samp, the mistake was changing the corner at the last second. I shot badly, but yesterday it went well.
The 35-year-old Criscito may still join Toronto in the summer but there’s no guarantee, so he’ll be praying that Genoa at least avoid suffering relegation following his decision. He has scored six goals and provided one assist in 18 Serie A appearances this season for the Ligurian side.
#Genoa, #Criscito: 'L'errore nel derby lo porterò sempre con me. Toronto? Non potevo andarmene' https://t.co/IIYJYMluIS pic.twitter.com/4orZeVz4fQ
— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) May 8, 2022