Daniele Conti is ready to become a Coach, but felt let down by Cagliari after 16 years as captain and symbol.

The son of Roma legend Bruno Conti made his mark in Sardinia, scoring 51 goals in a club record 464 games, retiring this summer following their relegation into Serie B.

“The Cagliari shirt was my second skin,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“If an offer to play came from abroad, I might consider it, but not in Italy. Cagliari is my team and I cannot see myself with any other jersey.”

Daniele Conti is ready to become a Coach, but felt let down by Cagliari after 16 years as captain and symbol.

The son of Roma legend Bruno Conti made his mark in Sardinia, scoring 51 goals in a club record 464 games, retiring this summer following their relegation into Serie B.

“The Cagliari shirt was my second skin,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“If an offer to play came from abroad, I might consider it, but not in Italy. Cagliari is my team and I cannot see myself with any other jersey.”

Conti was in tears on the last day of the season, but was not part of the squad.

“It was too painful. I love Cagliari too much and after a season like that it really hurt. Above all I already knew that I was going to retire and the thought of ending my career with relegation destroyed me.

“I always put the team before me and that day was the same. We were relegated already and I didn’t want to turn the event into some sort of celebration for me. I don’t like being the centre of attention. I preferred to just walk round the pitch at the end to thank the fans.

“Half-way through the season I realised I was going to retire and was immediately honest with the President. I said I’d be available for a role in the club, but never heard from them…

“There was some talk of the future, but nothing concrete. I haven’t heard a word from anyone at the club since the final day of the season.

“It was an honour for me to be the captain not of a team, but of a population. I never felt like a symbol because I only did what was natural, which is to love Cagliari.

“That’s why I turned down better wages, stronger clubs and many other things. The great thing is that never weighed on me and looking back I’d do it all again, except for a few mistakes.

“I know I made plenty of mistakes, but every time it was for the love of Cagliari. I still live here and I’ve always said it’s a life choice for me. My sons play in the youth academy and they are Cagliari fans too.”

It could’ve been very different, as the young Daniele was groomed to be a symbol at hometown club Roma.

“Being the son of Bruno Conti was not easy. As soon as you make a mistake, everyone judges you. On the other hand, that gave me the strength to prove what I could do. I was aware of my capabilities and proud of never giving up.

“I fell and got back on my feet, admitting my mistakes. Now I am happy to have a part in the history of Cagliari.

“Now I will study to qualify as a Coach, then we’ll see. To be honest, I don’t know how to do much outside of football!”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tickets Kit Collector