Antonio Vergara, 23, Napoli midfielder, breaks his silence and delivers a strong message to Italian football. In an interview with Corriere della Sera, the Neapolitan player (who grew up in Frattamaggiore) openly criticizes our country's attitude toward young talent.
"In Europe, 17-year-olds play in the Champions League," he states bluntly. "In Italy, there's a lot of talk about talent, but perhaps we're not culturally ready to consider them as such. Don't call us young anymore; for football, we're not young anymore."
Pio Esposito as an example of the future of the Azzurri
Vergara specifically cites one name to bolster his argument: Francesco Pio Esposito, a striker born in 2005 (two years his junior), already considered one of the brightest prospects in the Italian football scene. "Pio Esposito is two years younger than me, and he's incredibly strong. Physically and mentally. He's the future of Italy," emphasizes the Italian midfielder, who sees his peers and younger players as a generation ready to take center stage.
From "Mr. Nobody" to an irreplaceable owner
Vergara's progress in recent months has been meteoric. In January, the plan was to loan him out, but a series of injuries changed everything. "I could have left in January, that was the plan…
Then what happened wasn't predictable, but I was ready. I knew I had Conte's respect," he says. In a few weeks he went from being "Mr. Nobody" to "Mr. Someone," as he himself summarizes with irony and satisfaction:
“I went from being invisible to doing the same things as usual, but I’m not invisible anymore.”
Conte's confidence and tenacity in the dressing room
Despite the competition from established champions, Vergara has earned Antonio Conte's trust with his work and personality. «Gattuso asked me to continue like this», he reveals, probably referring to a previous coach or some advice he received, but it is with Conte that he exploded: «I try to improve every day.
There are many players who deserve the national team, but I believe in it, I work hard." Regarding the injuries that opened the door for him to become a starter, he has no regrets or feelings of guilt: "I think about it every day, but it doesn't bother me. It happens in football, and not uncommonly. I had the tenacity to stay in this locker room full of champions, with the idea of building a team."
A normal life despite sudden success
Even off the pitch, Vergara keeps his feet on the ground: "I do my usual things, I hang out with the few friends I have, who don't even like football." But fame has arrived, and with it the awareness of having made a decisive leap in his career.
It seems like a sensible argument, but it's confusing. Antonio seems good and strong, but the newspapers always write everything wrong. I don't understand certain passages. He's 17 years old, but not in the Champions League. So why don't the kids try it straight away? Conte has faith in him, but he has doubts. We're still hoping.