Latest news with #PepitoDay
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Italy star was offered to join Messi's Barcelona
Former Italy star was offered to join Messi's Barcelona Former Fiorentina and Italy star Giuseppe Rossi reveals he was offered a chance to join Barcelona and form a three-man attack with Lionel Messi and David Villa. Rossi was one of the most exciting Italian strikers of his generation, but recurring knee injuries severely affected his career and often forced him to the sidelines to treat serious fitness issues. Advertisement His performances massively impacted sports betting picks, especially during his time in Spain, where he played for Celta Vigo, Levante and Villarreal, scoring 64 goals in 171 games in La Liga. A former Fiorentina striker, Rossi scored seven goals in 30 appearances with the Italy national team, and also played for Parma and Genoa in Serie A, netting 26 times in 62 games in Italy's top flight. The ex-Italian striker experienced several sliding door moments in his career and discussed some of them in his latest interview with Radio TV Serie A. FLORENCE – MARCH 22: Giuseppe Rossi during Pepito Day at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2025 in Florence. Pepito Day is special event dedicated to Giuseppe Rossi, affectionately nicknamed 'Pepito'. This day will mark the farewell to football of the Italian-American striker, famous for his career at clubs such as Fiorentina, Villarreal and Manchester United, as well as for his appearances for the Italian national team. (Photo by) 'Guardiola's Barcelona wanted me; of course, Leo Messi was a key figure. They said every player who joined Barcelona had to be approved by him, but I don't know if that was true,' Rossi said via TMW. Advertisement 'I know that they saw me as part of a front three with Messi and David Villa, which tells you what kind of season I had [2010-11]. The deal didn't go through because Villarreal wanted more guaranteed money rather than bonuses. Everything fell apart. I could have played for one of the strongest teams in football's history.' Rossi had another chance to leave Villarreal that summer, with an offer from Juventus. The Bianconeri had just appointed Antonio Conte to replace Luigi Delneri after a disappointing season and would go on to win the title in that campaign. 'There was a big chance. They offered me a great contract,' Rossi said. 'I spoke to Conte and [ex-Juventus CEO] Beppe Marotta. They saw me as Alessandro Del Piero's successor. I hesitated at first because I wasn't convinced it was truly the great Juventus of the past, but it wasn't an offer I could turn down. Advertisement 'I told Villarreal I wanted to leave, but the club blocked my exit because they had already sold several big names, and they wanted to make a good impression in the Champions League. 'They told me: 'This is the contract. Just tell us how much you want to stay.' In that sense, it was a nice moment.' Rossi retired in 2023 but only recently played his farewell game, which was attended by some Fiorentina and Serie A legends, including Gabriel Batistuta and Luca Toni.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rossi thanks Fiorentina for ‘unforgettable' Pepito Day
Giuseppe Rossi has thanked Fiorentina, the fans and players who participated in his testimonial last week. 'It was an unforgettable evening and I will never forget the last few days.' The 38-year-old had seven goals in 30 senior caps for Italy, while he played at club level for the likes of Manchester United, Fiorentina, Villarreal and Genoa. His career was blighted by injury problems, which eventually saw him hang up his boots in the summer of 2023. Rossi had his testimonial match at the Stadio Franchi over the weekend, called Pepito Day, including star names such as David De Gea, Gabriel Batistuta, Luca Toni, Sebastien Frey, Mario Gomez and Francesco Toldo. 'It was an unforgettable evening, so thank you to the Viola fans, to Fiorentina and all the champions who came to Pepito Day,' Rossi told the official club website. 'I will never forget the last few days. Returning to the Stadio Franchi was an indescribable emotion, surrounded as I was by great champions and great friends.' He was able to train at the Viola Park, the new structure that opened last year for all the various Fiorentina teams. 'I spoke to General Manager Alessandro Ferrari about the incredible structure that was wanted by President Rocco Commisso. It's the kind of training centre I would've dreamed of as a player, and now it is destined for the Fiorentina of the future, the young talents who will wear the Viola jersey. 'I was struck by these great prospects. With Saturday's event, we tried to explain how much sense of belonging and recognition there is at Fiorentina and its incredible fans. I was really moved to have experienced an unforgettable moment with my family.' However, Rossi also joked that the retired players who participated in Pepito Day were feeling the effects afterwards. 'I must admit that the moment we got up from the dinner table to go home, nobody did it without a few groans. Even if we have aged a bit, we still saw that quality on the pitch.'
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
De Rossi: ‘Fantastic' Ranieri job at Roma
Roma and Italy legend Daniele De Rossi praises Claudio Ranieri, saying he's been doing a fantastic job at the Stadio Olimpico. De Rossi started the season as Roma's coach but was suddenly sacked in September and replaced by Ivan Juric. Neither the ex-Torino coach lasted long at the Olimpico as Ranieri was appointed in November to become the third Roma coach in 2024-25. De Rossi spoke to reporters, including Football Italia, in the mixed zone of the Stadio Franchi for Pepito Day, Giuseppe Rossi's farewell match. 'It's a great opportunity to meet up and say goodbye to Pepito. Rossi was an incredible player and a wonderful and fantastic person,' De Rossi said. 'We joked that today there are great coaches and great players, but I'm the only one who both played with him and coached him since I had him in my squad for a short time at SPAL. It's a pleasure to be here.' When asked his thoughts on Ranieri's job at Roma, De Rossi replied with just one word: 'Fantastic.'
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Video: Serie A and football legends arrive for Giuseppe Rossi's farewell match
Former Italy international Giuseppe Rossi bids farewell to football in Florence today, playing at the Stadio Franchi with several football legends. It kicks off at 18:00 CET (17:00 GMT) at the Stadio Franchi, where Rossi spent four years as a footballer, scoring 19 goals in 42 matches. Daniele De Rossi, one of Rossi's ex-Italy teammates, Luca Toni, Mario Gomez and Gabriel Omar Batistuta are among the former players featuring at the Franchi today. Football Italia is among the accredited media and will follow the match with a dedicated LIVEBLOG. Pepito Day in Florence 😍 So many legends for Giuseppe Rossi's farewell to football 😎 — Football Italia (@footballitalia) March 22, 2025 Official line-ups for Pepito Day in Florence. 😍🟪@footballitalia
