Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi reflected on the early stages of his relationship with football, the toughest moments of his career and the importance of determination.
The 24-year-old Italian was the Nerazzurri’s statement signing of the summer, adding a top option to Simone Inzaghi’s midfield. He has struggled to break into the squad in the early stages of this season, making just one start in his first nine appearances in Serie A.
Frattesi developed as one of the most exciting midfielders in Italy during his time with Sassuolo and is now a part of Luciano Spalletti’s Italy squad. He’ll be desperate to help the Azzurri qualify for next summer’s European Championship, which would be his first major international tournament.
Speaking in an interview with DAZN via Calciomercato.com, Frattesi first discussed his start with football as a child.
“I was 4 and a half years old, it was my mother who took me to play because I was too rowdy! She asked the paediatrician if there was a sport that could help me calm down.
“In the beginning I cried because I remember that I got tired, but it worked for her. It ended up becoming my passion.”
He was asked what job he would’ve had if football hadn’t worked out.
“A tennis player, probably. But I would have liked to be a lawyer.”
The 24-year-old remembered the first stadium he played in.
“Curi (Perugia, ed.), we had a tournament when we were really little. At the time we were all super happy.”
Frattesi spoke about his first match as a professional player.
“In the Coppa Italia, in 2017, there was a great emotion there too. Among other things, Bastoni was on the pitch in Atalanta.”
He confirmed that he was a goalkeeper when he was a child.
“Yes, then moving forward I became a striker. Franceschini changed my role by putting me as midfielder, even there I didn’t agree and in fact I complained. Today I have to say thank you to him.”
The 24-year-old reflected on the most difficult moment of his career.
“When I finished the youth sector and went to Sassuolo, where I didn’t play, and I broke my fifth metatarsal.
“It was a bit of a strange year, but these things have to be taken into account. It’s difficult for everything to go well.”
He was asked about his strengths and weaknesses.
“When I want something, I try to get it by trying until the end, this is an advantage. The flaw is that sometimes I’m touchy.”
The Inter midfielder spoke about three characteristics to describe himself.
“Raider, toiler, the third is something I need to improve, which is ball management.”
He commented on the importance of dressing room life.
“So much because that’s where games are won. It seems rhetorical, but it’s actually the truth. If the group is strong, goals go from impossible to possible.”
Finally, Frattesi was asked if talent or determination matter more.
“The second, without a doubt. There are many examples of talented players who don’t appear without a head. And, vice versa, many less talented ones who achieve very important goals with humility.”