Gervinho revealed “in my heart I still play barefoot,” why Roma remind him of Africa, racing Usain Bolt and the trouble with Arsenal.
The Scudetto showdown with Juventus kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
Gervinho revealed “in my heart I still play barefoot,” why Roma remind him of Africa, racing Usain Bolt and the trouble with Arsenal.
The Scudetto showdown with Juventus kicks off on Sunday at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), click here for a match preview.
“I was born in Anyama, a neighbourhood of Abidjan. My father was a librarian, my mother a housewife and I am the second of 12 children,” the ex-Arsenal striker told La Repubblica.
“I was chosen after a trial at the Sol Beni academy after three games, five against five, all the kids playing barefoot. We only got boots after overcoming the final level.
“Football saved me, as it is far more than a job and I certainly couldn’t be a banker. I progressed, but in my heart I still play barefoot.”
The Ivory Coast international insists the characteristics that saw him criticised at Arsenal are precisely what make him special at Roma.
“If someone says I play like an African, I don’t take that as an insult. Yes, we come from the streets and dribbling skills are necessary, as you have to get round obstacles and dangers. Sprinting is a way of not becoming prey. Being unpredictable or out of reach is a compliment for me.
“Am I chaotic? You try running, shaking off challenges for 50-70 metres. Yes, at times in front of goal a fog descends, but with the help of the technical staff here I have improved my concentration at the end of a move.
“I will also add that perhaps the speed of my feet doesn’t match up with that of my mind, but I don’t have to justify myself. I consider myself fortunate, even on bad days. So many people in my country would love to be in my place.
“I am also too anarchic for penalties, as that is an execution. Luckily, I don’t have to take them at Roma.”
There were even reports Gervinho had challenged Usain Bolt to a race.
“Let’s not exaggerate! I consider myself fast, yes, but you cannot compare the way he runs to my style. He is a giant. I am lighter and running with the ball is another matter. I’d love to meet Bolt and I am attracted by the idea of a race, even though I’ve never actually measured my time.”
Gervinho found success in Belgium and France, but his career stuttered in England where he did not settle.
“I left Africa at age 18 and nobody cried in my family, because that’s an opportunity that doesn’t merit tears.
“At Le Mans and Lille I worked with Rudi Garcia. We understand each other, he knows how I need to play, and I can feel the affection between us. I am not one of those who go home and add a notch for every goalkeeper I scored against. To score and to create a goal is equally satisfying for me.
“As for Arsenal, it’s tough to learn when you’re on the bench. I was on there a lot and they just didn’t trust me. Squad rotation is one thing, but a total lack of faith is another. A player feels that.
“I immediately felt at ease at Roma. It’s not my Africa, but close. I live with a little group of friends who keep me company and on the field my teammates have great history. I had no problem adapting to Italian football.
“Maybe I am more mature this year and feel that if someone passes me the ball it’s because they believe I can do something, not just as I happened to be there. Even Totti has faith in Gervinho and that’s good for me, it means I don’t have to prove every time that I am worth something. I hope nobody will be angry if I say that sometimes on the pitch I feel a bit like a President!”
Gervinho was asked which defenders he had the most trouble against, but refused to answer.
“In Africa you never name your enemy, because that gives them more strength. They feed on our difficulties. At most I’ll say the teams I had the most trouble with were Juventus and Milan.
“The players I admire the most are Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, even if they are opposites. The former for his technique, the latter for his aggression. I’ll add Thierry Henry for his elegance, as I like a bit of style.
“They say an African team will never win the World Cup, as we are incapable of playing tactically and with a certain degree of mental discipline. At least we’re different.”