Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco says Italian players 'should try the Major League Soccer experience' and discusses his future.
The Atomic Ant left for the North American league early last year in a move that many saw as career suicide. Instead, the striker bloomed in his new outfit, scoring some of his best goals and earning the title of Most Valuable Player for the season .
Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco says Italian players 'should try the Major League Soccer experience' and discusses his future.
The Atomic Ant left for the North American league early last year in a move that many saw as career suicide. Instead, the striker bloomed in his new outfit, scoring some of his best goals and earning the title of Most Valuable Player for the season .
“Changing teams, countries, languages and environment is certainly the most difficult part of our job and it often takes time,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Let's just say that I was surprised how quickly I was able to leave my mark.
“Taking a long break is a positive things. In the two-and-a-half months off between the end and the new beginning of the championship I thought of nothing but resting, because it's been a year and a half since I took a break.
“I spent some time on the beaches in Antigua, in the Caribbean, then I returned to Torino. I didn't even go to the stadium: I have such a big family that I spent all my time going to meet them!
“Major League Soccer is an experience that is absolutely worth doing [for players in Italy], and I'm not saying this only because I enjoyed such a fabulous year.
“Life is good, but there are no matches that you can take for granted. So the tournament is spectacular.”
Toronto was enjoying a fantastic season, but it came to an abrupt end when they were defeated 3-0 by Montreal Impact in the playoffs.
“We barely even played that match. At 39' we were already down by three. It's a shame, but this year we have the opportunity of taking another step forward.
“The playoffs make for a different type of mentality, but I like it. Here everybody lives for those weeks in which the playoffs take place. But I'd keep things as they are in Italy. Best for each to stick to their own tradition.
“The city of Toronto really surprised me. It's beautiful and welcoming, and I didn't expect that. Perhaps I was just enthusiastic about my new start, but everything I found was positive.
“I don't miss anything in terms of my personal life. Professionally speaking, sometimes – though not always – I'm nostalgic of the atmosphere, the tension and the adrenaline before an important game.
“My future? For the moment I don't intend to go anywhere.”