Italy and Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli admits that he was once an 'average footballer.'

After revealing that it was current boss Massimiliano Allegri who recommended a change of position from midfield to defence whilst the Tuscan pair were teammates, the 35-year-old spoke of his development as a player.

The Fiesole-native joined Wolfsburg in 2008, which marked a turning point in his career after spells at Chievo and Palermo.

Italy and Juventus defender Andrea Barzagli admits that he was once an 'average footballer.'

After revealing that it was current boss Massimiliano Allegri who recommended a change of position from midfield to defence whilst the Tuscan pair were teammates, the 35-year-old spoke of his development as a player.

The Fiesole-native joined Wolfsburg in 2008, which marked a turning point in his career after spells at Chievo and Palermo.

“At that time I also became a father and it was the very first experience abroad for both myself and my wife," Barzagli told an event organised by Randstad.

"Before that, I was a completely different person, an ‘average’ footballer at Palermo, but after the World Cup in 2006 I felt that I was ready for a big club.

“In truth, I wasn’t ready just then, but when Wolfsburg came calling a couple of years later and handed me an offer that was excessive for the player I was at the time, it was an easy decision for me to join.

“There I played under Felix Magath, who completely transformed my mentality. Whenever I complained about something he told me 'You know why you’re not training well? It’s because you don’t believe in what you do.' Admittedly, I was giving only 70 or 80% in training and never touched the ball.

"It was at that point that I changed my approach and I now always give 100%.”

“I’m not particularly proud of this, but sometimes when I was at home my wife would tell me that it was as though I wasn’t there because I always had football on my mind.

“She was right: I remember after the very first league title I won at Juventus I was on holiday and couldn’t manage to think of anything other than wanting to win a second successive Scudetto. I was crazy about it.

“I don’t know what happened to me at this club, but it’s like that. I’ve had to devote a great deal of time to football, which I might have otherwise been able to spend with the family, and I hope that I can make up for that in the future.

"But then, everything we have is thanks to football. It’s my job and what’s given me purpose in life.”

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