Leonardo Spinazzola admits he had a ‘difficult’ recovery from Achilles tendon surgery and would love to make his Italy comeback at Wembley against Argentina.
The left-back was out of action for 10 months after tearing his Achilles tendon during the EURO 2020 quarter-final against Belgium.
He returned just in time to participate in Roma’s Conference League Final victory over Feyenoord in Tirana and is now back in the Italy squad ahead of the Finalissima with Argentina and the Nations League matches.
“Thankfully, I never lost my smile, but it was a very difficult period after the injury. Some days I just sat there staring into space,” Spinazzola told La Domenica Sportiva.
“I was not afraid that I wouldn’t get back to playing, but I did fear I wouldn’t be the same player as before. Now that I’m back, I’m in Seventh Heaven. My wife, children and friends helped so much.
“Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho also helped me to feel calm, they made sure I never gave up.”
Italy won the European Championship and Spinazzola was celebrating on the field at Wembley while hobbling on crutches following surgery.
However, the same side failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Spinazzola’s absence.
“We didn’t deserve to miss out, but this is football. I hope the younger players can come in and give us a hand to reboot.”
Spinazzola could make his Italy comeback on the same Wembley turf, facing Copa America holders Argentina on June 1.
“It would be wonderful, I am sure I wouldn’t let the emotion take hold of me. I urge the fans to stick with us and we’ll make them fall in love again.”