Former goalkeeper Walter Zenga weighed in on Gianluigi Buffon’s legacy, the current top shot stoppers in Serie A and Romelu Lukaku’s recent drama.
The 2006 World Cup winner recently announced his retirement at the age of 45, deciding to hang up his boots and gloves after returning for a two-year spell with Serie B side Parma, his first professional club. Buffon is now expected to take on a role with the Italian national team.
In other news, Juventus are now working on a deal for Lukaku with Chelsea, discussing a possible swap deal involving Dusan Vlahovic. The Belgian striker seemed set to return to Inter this summer but the Nerazzurri moved away after learning of his talks with the Old Lady.
Speaking on page 18 of today’s Corriere dello Sport, Zenga first discussed the globetrotting nature of his career – he is currently working as the director of development for Indonesian side Persita Tangerang.
“Let’s say that I have never missed anything. I need to feel stress in all its forms. Every age offers a lot of it, I have tasted it as a player, as a coach and now I have settled into this new role, which gratifies me.
“I act as a buffer between the club and the coach, I oversee the construction of the training centre, I provide my knowledge of the organisation. There are things to do, and I don’t mind offering what I know. It’s not little, probably, considering that I’m now 63 years old.”
He reflected on his brief spell with Saudi side Al-Nassr back in 2010.
“Here, what is Ronaldo’s current club pushed me to say goodbye and resign, starting a dispute through FIFA. In six months, I never received a salary, which I obviously recovered later. Today it won’t happen again, we are on other levels as you can easily see.”
The 63-year-old discussed the retirement and legacy of Buffon.
“I sent him a message. We’ll be in touch. A legend, not just another goalkeeper. I don’t know if he’s the greatest of all time, because I consider rankings to be false, but a man who has marked international football for a good 25 years. So, already beyond.
“A man who wins the world’s best goalkeeper award five times is a legend. But if 14 years passed between the first and fifth trophy, I say 14 years, then that means we are at the Monument.
“You think that I have won that award on three occasions, in 1989, 1990 and 1991. Draw your own conclusions. The athlete and also the character were immense.”
Zenga spoke about some of the best current goalkeepers in Italy.
“In the world, there are many on the same level and so it depends on preferences. In Italy, the school resists, although last year Maignan and Onana took the stage.
“But of ours, I think of Meret who won the league and did it with absolute mastery, transmitting tranquillity, or Vicario who earned himself a move to Tottenham. I like Audero, if I were Inter I would think about him.
“And then I am curious to see Caprile and Carnesecchi, who have already proved themselves. However, I should also add that Falcone and Di Gregorio have made their mark in their seasons at Lecce and Monza.”
The former goalkeeper commented on Luciano Spalletti’s decision to stay away from Napoli.
“It is strange, however, that Spalletti is not on the bench, but you’ll see that he’ll be back soon, someone like him can’t remain a spectator. However, De Laurentiis has chosen the right heir, because Garcia is a great coach.”
Finally, Zenga was asked about the situation of Lukaku.
“Do you have an alternative question? Lukaku is a player who would go to Juve. And then Inter survive goodbyes. Me, the Fenomeno, Mourinho, just to name three, have left and they’re always a great club.”