Paolo Rossi’s widow Federica Cappelletti reacted to Italy CT Roberto Mancini’s words about Sassuolo forward Giacomo Raspadori’s call-up: ‘Paolo would have smiled with pride’.
The Azzurri CT said he hopes Raspadori can ‘be like Rossi’ in this summer’s Euro 2020, as the young Neroverdi player has been called up for the first time ahead of the major tournament.
Cappelletti, the widow of Rossi, who died on December 9 last year, reacted to Mancini’s words and said it ‘confirms that he remains a point of reference’.
“Paolo would have smiled with pride,” she told ANSA. “It’s the proof that Paolo is always there.
“It is confirmed that he was and remains a point of reference. Words that are even more pleasing because they come from the national team coach.”
She added that she hopes Raspadori can one day wear the No. 20 jersey when he plays for Italy.
“It would be nice if one day Raspadori could wear the Azzurri shirt with the Number 20, as Paolo did,” she continued.
“But now we are all thinking about cheering on Italy at the European Championship.”