Leonardo Balerdi has made a swift impression at Roma in his opening weeks, drawing praise from head coach Gasperini after just three matches. The Argentine defender, who arrived this summer from Marseille, spoke to DAZN France about his early experience in Rome and the hurdles that preceded it.
When asked about Gasperini's compliments, Balerdi said: "Certainly I was happy first, but with calm, because there is only one Baresi and he did something extraordinary in football, and I must stay humble and continue to work. Certainly it is the coach who says this, so it motivates me. I must not find motivation there, but stay calm and continue on my path, because I have only just arrived. I have only just arrived, I played only a match and a half, so I need to keep playing."
Before joining Roma, Balerdi faced one of the darkest periods of his career. Missing the World Cup through injury was a profound blow. He explained: "Those were the most difficult moments for me, because I had too much hope. My whole family and my whole city were behind me and when I realised I could not play in the World Cup, it was a blow, no? A very, very hard blow for me. But in football there are moments like this, and I knew that at that moment I would not be too happy, but I must think that in the end this will help me: certainly in football, but also in life. It is a hard blow that will give me a lot of things, if I take only the positive things, if positive things can be found."
Bareldi's final weeks at Marseille were equally challenging. He was whistled by supporters in his last appearance at the Vélodrome. "Certainly it was a difficult moment and I did not want to end like that in the last match at the Vélodrome," he said. "But I do not dwell on this. I take all the days I lived in Marseille: the good things certainly, the bad ones too, because it will give me strength and will help me for the future. But I do not stop there and I also remain with the love they gave me during the 6–7 years I was there. I think that is the most important thing. To remain with this, given that they gave me much love during all my time at Marseille."
Testo Originale / Source Text
“Sono bastate appena 3 partite a Leonardo Balerdi per convincere Gasperini e i suoi nuovi tifosi. Il difensore argentino, arrivato alla Roma in estate dal Marsiglia, si è raccontato in un’intervista a Dazn France. Ecco uno stralcio delle sue parole:
Cosa ne pensi degli elogi di Gasperini nei tuoi…”
Read the full article in Italian at Roma News.
