Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci revealed that former Lazio captain Alessandro Nesta is his idol.
Speaking in an interview with Italian broadcaster Sky Sports Italia (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) earlier today, the 33-year-old Italian commented on Nesta’s career and playing style.
As Nesta was one of the strongest and I had the good fortune to play for great teams, we followed a similar path. He became world champion and won the Champions League.
He’s always been an example for me and I still watch him every now and then on the internet.
His elegance on the pitch, his personality, his precision in anticipation, his desire to always play football, he was beautiful to watch when he was on the pitch.
I can see myself in his characteristics. Without taking anything away from the other great defenders who have made football history, seeing myself more in him, I chose him as my idol.
Nesta was a Lazio youth product and won a league title, two Coppa Italia, a Supercoppa Italiana, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and a UEFA Super Cup in his nine years with the Biancocelesti.
The Italian defender had to be sold to AC Milan in 2002 due to the Roman club’s financial troubles, a move that still upsets the Lazio faithful to this day.
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