Sassuolo striker Simone Zaza has spoken about how he idolised footballing icon Marco Van Basten as he grew up.
The 23-year-old, who is in the Italy squad for this month’s internationals, after scoring his first Azzurri goal against Norway in September.
“When I watched the goals of Van Basten, I said I wanted to be like him- now the kids say they want to be like me,” the striker told CalcioNews24.com.
“However, most kids and fragile and need stronger role models, such as The Pope.”
After coming through the youth ranks at Atalanta and Sampdoria, Zaza made his professional breakthrough on loan at Viareggio in 2012 and moved to Sassuolo on a co-ownership with Juventus- with the Neroverdi signing Zaza outright in June.
“Football made me sick as a dog, at Atalanta I didn’t accept a contract on the minimum wage and I thought I would never play in Serie A.
“I’ve taken so many beatings, but if I look at the scar on my shin I think of the national team goal against Norway.”
Set to start in Italy’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia on Sunday, Zaza also answered questions about life outside of football and revealed his fear of flying.
“I am always on medication before getting on a plane,” he said.
“If I was not a footballer, I would be a fat guy- I like food too much.”
