Stefano Okaka praises Italy CT Antonio Conte for his return to the national team: “He looks beyond prejudices and gossip.”
The striker has been called up to Conte’s squad for the friendly matches against Belgium, where he currently plays with Anderlecht, and Romania.
Speaking at today’s Press conference, Okaka applauded the former Juventus Coach for his call-up and discussed his move abroad.
“I’ve rediscovered a stronger national team, with players who are always more ready,” he said.
Stefano Okaka praises Italy CT Antonio Conte for his return to the national team: “He looks beyond prejudices and gossip.”
The striker has been called up to Conte’s squad for the friendly matches against Belgium, where he currently plays with Anderlecht, and Romania.
Speaking at today’s Press conference, Okaka applauded the former Juventus Coach for his call-up and discussed his move abroad.
“I’ve rediscovered a stronger national team, with players who are always more ready,” he said.
“Playing abroad, I’ve never had problems. Conte, beyond prejudices and gossip, prefers to know the man, beyond the footballer.
“And if you do well, you deserve a call-up.
“The critics on a footballing level can be there, I’ve always given everyting when I go out on the pitch and it’s just the prejudices towards me that I didn’t like.
“Someone wrote made up things, not knowing the truth. But now it’s in the past.
“Ferrero? I’m at Anderlecht now and I’m thinking about myself.
“I don’t want to waste a word on commenting. My objective is to continue playing well, based on the matches and then improve or diminish my chances of becoming more important.
“Dreams are the fuel of our work.
“Anderlecht? There’s a fantastic culture for the youngsters, players who are 20 have already won two or three titles.
“Furthermore these young players are very good and are tracked by big clubs.
“There’s less pressure, it’s normal, you can work with more calmness.”
Okaka was also asked briefly about racism in football and believes that the key is to educate people from a young age.
“It’s a question of education, nobody is born racist,” he said.
We must endorse the process of integration, in Belgium there are many Italians who have adapted to live there.
“Intelligence makes the difference, we don’t need to talk about racism because we’re in 2015.”