Ventola: Ronaldo is my brother, he said his status in Brazil is like the Pope in Rome

Former Inter Milan forward Nicola Ventola recently accepted an interview and shared many unknown stories in his career, from the brotherhood with Ronaldo, to the inside story of losing the championship on "May 5", to the current stalemate with Vieri.

Ten knee surgeries and unable to compete for a year. Ventola, what did we miss about you?

Those who saw me when I was 18, from Cassano to Buffon, from Totti to Pirlo, were all impressed by my running. I can start like a train from the back and rush all the way to the goal countless times. But once I lost those qualities, I had to adapt. I also lost a lot, if not all, of my strength because of it.

In 1998, half of Italy wanted you.

Inter Milan and Roma offered me the same salary, and Totti called me every day, but I chose the Nerazzurri for Ronaldo. I also talked to Milan, Juventus, Monaco and Vialli, who was at Chelsea at the time. Gianluca (Vialli) called my house and it was my mother who answered the phone, and when she told me it was "Mr. Vialli" I told him to get lost. Damn it, it really turned out to be him...

What happened when you were injured for the first time?

Very scary. I was at the top of my game and then I ruptured my cruciate ligament against Bari at Empoli for a flagrant foul from Daniele Baldini, and 25 years later he hasn't even apologized to me. After coming back, I scored against Inter Milan.

Which was the most serious injury?

It was when I was 24 years old. No one in Italy wanted to operate on me, and I thought about retiring, but Branchini took me to Colorado to see Dr. Steadman. I was supposed to have an osteotomy, which is breaking the bone and straightening it. After examination, the doctor told me that the success rate of the operation was 70%. It all worked out in the end, but I couldn't play football for a year.

Did you need help at that time?

I am no longer the same person I used to be. Sometimes a psychiatrist comes to my home. It's like I've been cursed and I don't believe in anything anymore.

How is your relationship with your faith now?

I have recovered, but I was angry with God. I grew up going to church and my family wanted me to study well. When I was 17, Barry wanted to send me to Como, but my father made it clear: "You have to go there on your own." I studied law but gave up with 11 exams to go. In 2019, I received my degree in Communication Studies. I did it for my father, who passed away in 2000. He didn't get to see my son and I think about him every day.

You and your father negotiated a contract extension with President Mattarese.

When I was 18, I didn’t have an agent. My father told me not to talk and let him do the talking. When the chairman announced a number, I accepted it immediately. My father was so angry that his face turned black, while Matarese laughed. He looks just like (Italian comedian) Lino Banfi.

A piece about Da Luo?

We are brothers. One time I went to Brazil and no one checked my passport at the airport. He replied: "My status here is like that of the Pope in Rome."

Was that free kick against Spartak Moscow your idea?

He knew it right then and wanted to use his heel to pass the ball to me for a shot. I told him: "Look, I'm not Ronaldo. If I kick the ball into the stands, they will boo me." It worked out: I scored an incredible goal. That's what Ronnie is: he incites the fans like a conductor and teases poor Taribo with numerous crotch penetrations. He never cared about diet control.

Is the loss of the league championship on May 5 the biggest regret?

Yes, I still haven’t made my debut for the national team. Everyone remembers Lazio, but we actually lost the title before. We have won mentally: we brought celebratory T-shirts and cameras. I remember Ronnie's tears and the tears of the fans at the airport. We asked ourselves at the time: "Why did this happen to us?"

Was Gresco really rescued by the police the next day?

Of course. People then surrounded him.

So, what about the Italian national team?

I was supposed to make my debut against Spain in November 1998. Zoff has made his promise to me. But before that, there was a game between Inter and Sampdoria: I created two penalties, but on the second penalty I fell so hard that I ruptured my ligaments. I also missed the train to the Azzurri. I should have gotten that opportunity.

What does it feel like to retire at the age of 32?

It was difficult, but I am proud of one thing: I scored my last Serie A goal at the Stadio Olimpico against Roma, the team I supported as a child. I regret that I came to Turin so late in my career because the fan atmosphere there was incredible. At Novara, the team was still in Serie C when I joined. I asked for minimum salary plus a promotion bonus. When we leveled up, they all wanted to kill me.

Where can I see the best Ventola?

In the two years in Bergamo, I scored 15 goals in Serie B that season to help the team get promoted, as well as the first few months at Inter Milan and when I was in Bari. I made my Serie A debut when I was 16 against Fiorentina and got kicked hard by Marcio Santos. In (hometown) Grumo Apra, I proudly told people that I was "fixed" by a world champion.

Are you a happy person now?

Yes, I have everything and do what I love with my friends, Lele (Adani) and Antonio (Cassano). Cassano still blames me because I never gave him my shorts when he was a kid. Our show "Viva el futbol" is something we have fun with: some people love us, some people hate us, some people find us annoying. But behind this is expertise. Adani and Cassano watch six or seven games a day, I watch slightly less.

But will you miss your friendship with Vieri? After the fight that led to the disbandment of Bobo TV, you never spoke again.

It is always a pity when a friendship of 25 years is interrupted. We don’t say hello when we meet now. But I am a pacifist and I would say that time will heal the wounds.