Pietro Pellegri, the 22-year-old Empoli striker, recently opened up about his past experiences and current form in an interview with La Repubblica. The former Genoa, Monaco, Milan, and Torino player shared insights into his career journey and offered advice to emerging talents.
Addressing his injury-prone reputation, Pellegri explained, “In recent years, I had played little due to physical problems, and I didn’t feel comfortable in France. I underwent two surgeries at Monaco: one for pubalgia and one for the left adductor. I bear the scars, but they don’t hurt as much as the label of being always injured. The truth is that when I was younger, I didn’t work well, I didn’t know how to manage myself, I was in a moment of growth. For almost two years now, I’ve been feeling great, and it shows.”
Regarding his time at AC Milan, Pellegri expressed some regret: “Honestly, even then I wasn’t entirely convinced. I wanted to return to Italy, but I preferred another team. At Milan, I still continued my training process: I was in the locker room with Ibrahimovic and Giroud, I learned a lot about how to train professionally. I have a folder full of teachings and experiences. If I could go back, however, I wouldn’t make that choice again.”
When asked about Francesco Camarda, Milan’s young prodigy, Pellegri offered some advice: “I saw his game as a starter against Cagliari, he’s a player with great potential, he has quality. I would tell him to have fun and listen to the people who care about him; they will be the most sincere with him.”
Pellegri also reminisced about his Serie A debut: “I wasn’t even 16, it was a reward for Genoa’s football school, where I started at 8 years old. When I arrived at the stadium on the bus, I had butterflies in my stomach. Then on the field, you forget everything. The following 48 hours I was euphoric, but the right people around me kept me grounded. My father, my mother. Perin and Palladino helped me. I was new to that world: Raffaele told me how to behave, gave me advice even on the field. He was fundamental for me.”
Speaking about his current situation at Empoli, Pellegri said, “I’m confident. I have a great relationship with D’Aversa. He may seem like a bear, a gruff person, but once you get to know him, he has a big heart. No one expected this start from us. The road is long, but the results that are coming are everyone’s. Ours is a competitive, healthy locker room.”
Pellegri also explained his goal celebration, which mimics that of Gyokeres: “I celebrate like him because I’m crazy about how he plays, but the story is different: Gyasi had sent me a photo of himself imitating Gyokeres during the week. It made me smile, and we said to each other: the first one who scores, celebrates like that.”
Finally, when asked about his role models, Pellegri mentioned, “My ideal striker? Retegui, Kean. Two who are doing very well. They hold the ball, do the dirty work, fight, give depth, and then are clinical in front of goal.”
