Former Serie A legend Jose Altafini thinks Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa “got big-headed and thought he was already a star.”
The 20-year-old striker was signed from Santos for €29.5m over the summer, but made only one 16-minute appearance against Bologna.
Coaches Frank de Boer and Stefano Pioli have said Gabigol “is not ready” to play in Serie A, but his agent is refusing to allow a loan to a smaller side like Pescara, Chievo or Empoli.
Former Serie A legend Jose Altafini thinks Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa “got big-headed and thought he was already a star.”
The 20-year-old striker was signed from Santos for €29.5m over the summer, but made only one 16-minute appearance against Bologna.
Coaches Frank de Boer and Stefano Pioli have said Gabigol “is not ready” to play in Serie A, but his agent is refusing to allow a loan to a smaller side like Pescara, Chievo or Empoli.
“Gabigol arrived and it seemed like he was a World Cup winner,” ex-Milan, Napoli and Juventus hero Altafini told Radio24.
“Perhaps this is what happened, that he got big-headed and thought he was already a star.
“When I first arrived in Italy, I knew that I was a beginner. Often players think they’ve already ‘arrived’ at the top and perhaps that is what happened to Gabigol.”