Joao Pedro explains the excitement of getting his debut Italy call-up and tries to defend Cagliari fans against accusations of racism after the row with Milan.
The Brazil-born striker is married to an Italian and has been in the country for almost a decade, so was able to gain Italian citizenship.
Roberto Mancini called him up for the World Cup play-offs against North Macedonia and then either Portugal or Turkey.
Serie A | Cagliari 0-1 Milan: Bennacer and crossbar decisive in Sardinia
“I found out during training, the director told me. I was very happy, it’s a unique moment and so important to me. Hearing my children, my wife, my parents and how excited they were too, it was wonderful,” Joao Pedro told Sky Sport Italia.
After the final whistle of this evening’s 1-0 home defeat to Milan, a brawl erupted in Sardinia, seemingly sparked by racist abuse from ultras behind mike Maignan’s goal.
The situation degenerated and Sky Sport Italia reported that Joao Pedro and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were in the thick of the row.
“At that moment, it was chaos and I was trying to separate players. Admittedly, that’s unusual for me, as I tend to be quite fiery.
“Ibrahimovic turned up, asking what happened, but I am not someone who takes it home with me. What happened on the pitch ends there.”
Joao Pedro was asked if he had heard some of the racist abuse from the Cagliari supporters.
“I didn’t hear anything, no. That is a very delicate matter, but I was basically in midfield at the time. It was the end of the game, he started provoking them in turn and I tried to pull him away to avoid the situation getting worse.
“This is not a pleasant situation to talk about, but I have been here for eight years and I will defend the fans because I did not hear anything.”
Ironically, this weekend there was a campaign to Keep Racism Out of football in Serie A, with a new video and badges on the jerseys.
Joao Pedro has been at Cagliari for eight years, so must also remember that during that time there have been numerous instances of the Sardinian ultras aiming racist abuse at players.
They include Moise Kean, Sulley Muntari, Samuel Eto’o and Romelu Lukaku.
This Serie A matchday was dedicated to the stand against racism, but there’s still a long road ahead and we must keep on fighting together: #KeepRacismOut
Oggi era la giornata contro il razzismo, ma abbiamo ancora molta strada da fare e dobbiamo farlo tutti insieme: #WeRespAct
— AC Milan (@acmilan) March 19, 2022
Paathetic. Defending his “fans” from the undefendable.
Did you even read the article lol
They never hear anything when its their own fans
Horrible this happened. Just terrible.
But if this follows Joao Pedro along this week, the Azzurri are doomed.
Still can’t wrap my head around this with so many other options they go and Selecta useless striker past his prime and playing for nothing In seria A. This is one on the most ridiculous call ups along with Felipe where r the Italian fans in uproar on this. The journalist have been Amping this up along along. You are all TRAITORS to the Italian youth.
Italian youth will not take us to the World Cup.
Let’s secure this Qualification and let the FederCalcio sort out the issues to get more Italians in our league.
For hopefully 2 matches at least we have to back Joao Pedro and all the Oriundi.
FORZA AZZURRI