Italian international Niccolò Zaniolo has offered a candid reflection on his past, expressing enduring respect for former coach José Mourinho and regret over a controversial goal celebration against his former club, AS Roma.
Zaniolo, 26, highlighted his strong bond with Mourinho, currently coaching Portuguese club Benfica, in an interview published Thursday by ‘Corriere dello Sport’.
“Mourinho was the coach I played with the most,” Zaniolo stated. “We have a wonderful relationship; he is football.”
The Italian forward added, “We talk from time to time; he gives me advice.”
Zaniolo also addressed his “unrestrained celebration” after scoring for Atalanta against Roma last season.
He confessed to friends that he regretted the incident. “If I could go back, I wouldn’t celebrate that way,” Zaniolo said.
The celebration was a reaction to a difficult period, he explained. “I wasn’t playing much; that goal was a relief for me.”
He offered an apology to those offended by his actions. “I apologize to anyone who felt offended.”
Zaniolo is currently playing for Udinese on loan from Turkish club Galatasaray.