Roma full-back Leonardo Spinazzola said the injury at the Euros gave him ‘further inner strength’ and vows to bounce back. ‘It’s part of the game, now I feel like a lion’.
The Giallorossi left-back starred at the European Championship but suddenly pulled up during the quarter-final against Belgium.
The defender was inconsolable as he was stretchered off but was happy when he hopped to collect the medal after Italy beat England on penalties in the Final at Wembley.
“When I got it, I was very excited,” Spinazzola told Canale 5. “It was a wonderful gesture from [Giorgio] Chiellini and [Leonardo] Bonucci and from the whole team, which I thank against.
“They told me I deserved it. In those days, I experienced swings of crazy emotions.”
On the injury
“After 20 minutes, I called my family from the dressing room and my smile returned immediately,” he said. “Even though their faces were full of tears.
“It’s part of the game, I go ahead and enjoy what I have. This stop gave me further inner strength and made me grow a lot. Now I feel like a lion.”
Italy have not been quite the same since he got injured. Hope he can come back as good as before.
Great❗❗Comeback soon … stronger 👍👊💙
May [Leonardo Spinazzola]come back stronger physically, fit, healthier , a better football player in every way 💪 🦁
Great player Spina. I was shattered when he was swapped by Juve for Pellegrini. He was starting to find form and was feeding fantastic crosses into Ronaldo. One of Paratici’s dumbest moves – and he made plenty in the last 3 years. At least I can cheer him on when he plays for Italy. While Spain exploited our right flank with Di Lorenzo, Spinazzola would have allowed us to fully exploit Spain’s right flank. Emerson is a decent player but he doesn’t add the penetration and speed that Spina provides.