Ezequiel "Pocho" Lavezzi returns to discuss his career, unfiltered, recounting his most important moments in football and, above all, the most difficult period after retiring. A guest on "Fenomeni," the Prime Sport program hosted by Luca Toni, the former Napoli and Argentina national team striker recounted the decisions, encounters, and memories that have remained etched in his life.
Among the decisions that changed his career was the one in 2007, when Lavezzi chose Naples despite the possibility of joining Juventus: "After my debut in Argentina, I had the option of going to Juventus, who would have shared the contract with Udinese, but I chose to go to Naples to follow in Maradona's footsteps."
The impact of the city was immediate and overwhelming: "The impact of Naples was crazy, I didn't expect so many people and such warmth." Then came the first episode that would make him understand just how special the relationship between the Campania capital and its players was: "The first day I went to buy some shoes, they had to close the shop and call the police to let me out. That's when I realized Naples was something different."
After five seasons with the Azzurri, Paris Saint-Germain signed him in 2012. Inter were interested, but Lavezzi decided not to stay in Italy so as not to jeopardize his relationship with the Neapolitan fans.
"Leaving Naples was very difficult, I miss it a lot today," he said. And again: "The people welcomed me as if I were their son, like one of them." Hence the decision to choose a foreign team: "When I left, I could have gone to Inter, but I chose a foreign team because I didn't want to betray the people and go to another Italian team."
A bond that also featured Diego Maradona. Lavezzi remembered the Argentine champion first as an idol and then as coach of the national team: "He was a special man." He added: "As a coach, he would come into my room in the evenings to talk to the players. We could discuss anything together."
Maradona himself, at a delicate moment in the life of "El Pocho", gave him a piece of advice he never forgot: "One day, during the World Cup qualifiers, we were in training camp and he saw that I was feeling down; I had a family problem: he told me to go home immediately and not lose my family."
The story then shifts to post-football, when retirement left a void that was difficult to fill. "When I stopped, a void arose, and there was nothing to fill it," Lavezzi explained, also speaking openly about his depression and the process he undertook to overcome it.
«I had problems with depression, I was hospitalized, I'm taking medicine and undergoing treatment, I'm slowly recovering».
During this phase, family was crucial. The arrival of his youngest child, in particular, gave the former footballer new motivation: "The arrival of my son changed my life, he brings me so much joy and makes me feel alive: he gave me the strength to move forward."
Today, Lavezzi is looking primarily to the future and his relationship with his children: "I want to share good times with them and look good in their eyes."
His experience has also become a message for those going through a difficult time: "To those who suffer, I say that with humility and determination, you can overcome it." A journey in which the former striker has also found support among many friends in the football world: "The world of football has been very close to me, so many have been close to me, like Messi, Aguero, Paolo Cannavaro..."
And Lionel Messi himself remains one of the most important people in his life: "I have a special friendship with Messi, we talk about many things, he's a fantastic person."
Key points on Ezequiel Lavezzi's testimony
Here is a summary of the main topics covered by Ezequiel Lavezzi in his recent interview.
- Naples' Choice: Lavezzi chose Naples in 2007, attracted by the city's history and warmth.
- Relationship with fans: He decided not to move to Inter so as not to betray the Neapolitan fans.
- Post-withdrawal difficulties: The former footballer faced a period of depression after retiring, which culminated in hospitalization.
- Family support: The birth of his second child provided Lavezzi with new motivation.
- Message of hope: Lavezzi encourages those who suffer to seek help and not to lose hope.
