In an interview, Udinese player Zagnolo reviewed his time in Rome and his experience in the Italian national team.

How do you feel when you started for Udinese for the first time in the Italian Cup?

It was a wonderful night and it was positive for me, especially considering that I hadn't played regularly for a long time and we wanted to advance to the next round. It was a great feeling and I was so happy to embark on a new journey with faith in a new team, which is always good for morale and confidence. I'm very happy.

And you also chose to wear a No. 10 jersey. The number itself is special, and even more so here, because several idols have ever worn it. How did you make this decision?

When you start playing football, your goal is to wear number 10. This is the most beautiful and representative number that a player can wear. Of course, I talked to the club as soon as I got here and they agreed that I wear this number. They also told me that they were happy to have the number entrusted to me, so we were all happy with the decision. It means a lot to me in this club, as legends like Zico and Dinatale have worn it. I hope to reproduce their achievements, but it would be great to be halfway through them.

There is a special moment in your career. Mancini called you to the Italian national team before you made your debut in the top league and soon after, you made your debut against Finland. Going back here also means hope to return to the national team?

I always thought about wearing an Italian jersey, which was another childhood dream. This is one of the few places that can bring all fans - Inter Milan, Juventus, Milan, Roma, Lazio, etc. - together to form a team.

I still remember when Italy won the World Cup in 2006, I was still a child, those nights and the excitement brought by the European Cup. My goal is to return to the national team. This is a dream and a goal. I know that to achieve it, I have to work hard and prove my worth in the club.

Speaking of special debut, your debut in Rome was at the Bernabeu Stadium, Champions League against Real Madrid. It was September 19, 2018, and it was an unforgettable moment because I hadn't even made my debut in the top league at that time. Everything happened so suddenly that I didn't even have time to digest it. Coach DiFrancisco told me on the day of the game that I would play, so I only had a few hours to think about it. But for me, that's an advantage, because at such a young age, when you're told to play against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu...

you can be very nervous. Instead, I had little time to digest, but I wouldn't deny that I was so excited at the time. At the same time, given my personality, I enjoyed that kind of stress. I like taking responsibility, it's part of the game.

You have had unforgettable moments in Rome, such as the winning goal in the UEFA League final. However, your personality is often questioned. Do you have anything to regret?

We all regret something that could have done better or avoided. For me, maybe everything is destined to happen like that, but I don’t look back on the past, I just look to the future. I am now in Udinese, where I found another family besides my own family, with my son, my partner. My parents are always by my side, too.

Actually, I wore the 22nd for a long time because of my idol Kaka and because it was my mother's birthday. However, my idol is my father, both as a man and as a player. I always talk to him. I made many mistakes in my career, perhaps because of premature exposure to the public, and in cities like Rome, stress that is difficult to deal with at such a young age. I challenge anyone to not become a little arrogant in this situation; I made a little overdone mistake, and many of the mistakes stem from it. Now that I know, I won't do that anymore.

Since you left Rome, it has caused great controversy. How did you get through that period?

It may not be obvious from the outside world, but when I left Rome, I was in great pain. I love that club and it was very hard for me to leave it that way, to leave those fans and clubs. I chose to keep these feelings in my heart and solve them myself. I talked a lot with people who really love me, but it turns out that not many people like that. You can count it with one hand. I was very young and lived in a very large city, so you would get a little out of control, become overconfident and make mistakes that I wouldn't repeat today.

Looking ahead, if you can choose, which one would be the best goal Zagnolo scored for Udinese?

I think we have a lot of very strong young players. I believe we will hear their names in two or three years. We play every Sunday game as a final, so maybe the best goal I can score is the one against Sassuolo on Sunday.