Tonight, the French Cup final that he'll play against Les Herbiers, could be Thiago Motta's last trophy he'll win as a player. The former Inter player has decided: he'll start his adventure on a bench next season, with the PSG U19 team. After a glory career, the midfielder has given an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, talking about important people that have accompanied him for 20 years: "At 16 I was chosen by Barcelona and I was alone in Spain in the Masia. It wasn't easy. I remember the phone calls in Brasil from a cabin. It was war during the trainings, I took the ball and everyone was shouting to me to pass it. One day it was crazy, I stopped the game and told everyone to calm down. After that they were playing hard with me. Puyol, who was playing as a midfielder, told me to do it. I was then respected. Van Gaal? Very though. He didn't coach you if you hadn't your jersey tucked in your shorts. He invented Puyol in defense when he was about to be sold to Malaga. That year Iniesta became pro too, he was already a phenomenon at 14. He wasn't scared of anyone. Antic? He was the one putting me in front of the defense. In 2003, Ancelotti's Milan wanted me in a swap deal with Josè Mari. Galliani was the first trying to get me, with a three-year contract of €1.5m. Messi? He's a friend, but the first time we trained together I went hard on him. His father came to me saying I exaggerated but it was the only way to stop him. Eto'o was a leader both on and off the pitch. He was the key to Inter's success".
First the win in Champions League with Barcelona, then his farewell to the Blaugrana, Thiago Motta talks about how he left too: "I left because of the conflict I had with president Laporta. Spalletti's Roma wanted me but I ended up at Atlético. And I hurt myself again there, after three knee surgeries I thought it was over. Luckily, my agent and friend Alessandro Canovi brought me at Genoa. It wasn't easy with Gasperini but he made me love football again. Inter? Roma actually offered me more but Preziosi came in the locker room telling me that he sold me and Milito to Inter. Mourinho then called me to ask me if I was ready to go to war. He knew how to motivate us. When did we understand we could win the Champions? After the final eight against Ancelotti's Chelsea? The fight with Buffon? I was afraid on the moment but then he called me and I ask him for forgiveness. I had a good relationship with him, like with Ibra even if as opponents we threatened each other. Leaving Inter? Branca didn't want me, he told everyone I was the problem at Inter. Oriundo? I don't like this word, I've always felt like an Italian born abroad. Thanks to the president Al Khelaifi I'll start as PSG U19's team coach. I'd like to train Neymar one day, working with my staff".
Here is Thiago Motta's ideal lineup (3-4-3): Valdes, Puyol, Thiago Silva, Silvinho, Pirlo, Iniesta, Deco, Rivaldo, Messi, Eto’o, Ronaldinho
The full interview is in today's La Gazzetta dello Sport.
