Gomez: ‘Bergamo adopted me’

Atalanta captain Alejandro Gomez has said “it’s an honour” to become an honorary citizen of Bergamo and has claimed the city “has adopted me.”

The Argentine followed coach Gian Piero Gasperini to be rewarded with the title and took to social media to reveal how he became “a better player and a better person” at the Dea.

“It’s a real honour to receive this civic merit in Bergamo,” he wrote on Instagram. “The city has welcomed me since the first year and adopted me as their son.

Atalanta captain Alejandro Gomez has said “it’s an honour” to become an honorary citizen of Bergamo and has claimed the city “has adopted me.”

The Argentine followed coach Gian Piero Gasperini to be rewarded with the title and took to social media to reveal how he became “a better player and a better person” at the Dea.

“It’s a real honour to receive this civic merit in Bergamo,” he wrote on Instagram. “The city has welcomed me since the first year and adopted me as their son.

“You’re not only born a Bergamasco, but you can become one and thanks to your sense of belonging, you have taught me your valuer and it has helped me become a better player, but above all, a better person.

“I want to thank my family, for always being there for me, all the people of Bergamo and thanks to the Percassi family. But, above all, thanks to my teammates. Without them, I couldn’t have fulfilled this dream.

Yesterday, mayor Giorgio Gori made it official in the Teatro Sociale di Città Alta and Papu is now officially an honorary citizen of Bergamo.

“He is the captain and the symbol of the European Atalanta,” the mayor said. “They have reached the highest level of the club’s history, to which he has contributed, with the team and the coach, and made our city recognised in Europe.

“In recent years, he has refused various offers from big teams, choosing to commit to Atalanta’s cause. He promised to live in Bergamo also after his career as a footballer.

“In addition, he distinguished himself socially for his strong support towards the non-profit association ‘Gli Insuperabili’, a football school for children with disabilities.”