DBasia.news – Leonardo Spinazzola has made a long recovery after surgery on his Achilles tendon and hopes to be back with the Italian national team in the friendly against Argentina at Wembley, Thursday (2/6) early morning WIB.
Spinazzola is out for ten months after picking up an injury in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals against Belgium. The Gli Azzurri finally came out victorious last summer, with him celebrating the title at Wembley while limping on crutches after surgery.
Spinazzola could be back in time to participate in AS Roma’s 1-0 win over Feyenoord in the UEFA Conference League final in Tirana last week, and he has already joined the squad for Italy ahead of Finalissima against Argentina and in the UEFA Nations League.
“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’m not afraid that I won’t be back playing, but I’m afraid that I won’t be the same player I was before. Now that I’m back, I’m in Seventh Heaven. My wife, children and friends have been very helpful.”
“Roberto Mancini and Jose Mourinho also helped me to feel calm, they made sure I never gave up.”
During Spinazzola’s absence, Italy then failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
“We don’t deserve to be absent [in the competition], but this is football. I hope the younger players can come in and help us to start again,” said Spinazzola again.