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Paolo Di Canio: Paolo still passionate
While Gianfranco Zola and Ciro Ferrara have called it a day, Serie A will still boast some lively veterans next season. Danny Francis travelled to Rome to find out what makes Paolo Di Canio still keep on ticking
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They say that football is now faster and more physically demanding than ever before and that, to succeed at the very highest level, a performer must possess the speed, agility and power of an Olympic athlete in his prime.
If that is the case, though, just how do you explain the fact that Serie A crowds are still being entertained by a group of players who probably should have been planning their retirements two or three years ago – and yet still show no signs of slowing down?
The phenomenon has been highlighted by an odd coincidence that has seen many of the old guard celebrate birthdays during the current close season. In fact, the number of candles blown out by the godfathers of Italian football this summer would probably be sufficient to supply the Vatican altars for an entire year.
Just four weeks after he had scored the opening goal in the Champions’ League final and subsequently kept up with the pace in a 120-minute thriller in Istanbul, Milan captain Paolo Maldini celebrated his 37th birthday with no intention of calling it a day just yet, while his Brazilian teammate Marcos Cafu – still storming up and down the right flank at the San Siro and many critics’ choice as last season’s Player of the Season – turned 35 on June 19.
In the coming weeks, Palermo’s evergreen midfielder Eugenio Corini will also reach the 35 mark, while former Azzurri favourite Angelo Di Livio, although not kept on by Fiorentina, still hopes to turn out next season despite turning 39 on July 30.
Of course, Di Livio’s former international teammate, Gianfranco Zola, proved that Italian footballers don’t actually go on forever when he announced his retirement just days short of his own 39th birthday recently, but his decision was based on non-football related matters and the ex-Chelsea hero certainly wouldn’t have disgraced himself had he chosen to play on for another campaign.
However, another former Premiership favourite and summer birthday boy will definitely be showcasing his talents again in 2005-06, much to the delight of his admirers. Paolo Di Canio reached the ripe old age of 37 on July 9, and the Lazio cult-hero is now preparing for a busy campaign that is about to start early with involvement in the Intertoto Cup.
Having returned home to wear the sky blue shirt of his boyhood heroes again last August, he has now taken up the option of a second year with the club and admits that the example of his fellow thirty-somethings has certainly played a part in persuading him to continue.
“I don’t like to compare myself with other players but, when you reach my age, it can be very stimulating to look at those guys and their achievements,” says the veteran of more than 500 senior appearances in the Italian, English and Scottish Leagues.
“Some are two or three years older than me, which makes me think: ‘If I feel strong and fit, why should I retire now? However, all that really matters is how I feel as an individual. Franco Zola may have played up to the age of 39 but I am not Zola, I am Di Canio. Just because some play to that age does not mean that all of us can.”
Judging by his current levels of fitness, though, the Roman hero has every chance of going on to emulate the achievements of his slightly older peers. Despite the fact that former Lazio boss Gigi Papadopulo rarely fielded him for a full 90 minutes last season, Di Canio’s performances were always full of energy and fervour, and he retains the physique and physical condition of a much younger individual.
However, the fiery playmaker insists there is no magical potion or secret formula to explain his impressive longevity – simply a healthy lifestyle and constant respect for his career. “It is thanks to many different aspects – mentality, professionalism and the desire to sacrifice things that are bad for you,” he declares.
“For example, knowing when to enjoy yourself and how to keep it in control. Sometimes, the best medicine in the world can be a glass of red wine with friends – but not on a Saturday night before a match, and just one and a half glasses rather than four or five. Also, have some good food with your glass of wine, to give you a healthy palate, and go to bed happy, so that you wake up feeling fresh and with your batteries full, ready to work hard in training.
“The key is knowing your own body and treating it in the right way. I have always tried to do that and I believe that is the mentality that has helped me to play on at this age.” Di Canio’s future had been thrown into doubt following Papadopulo’s departure at the end of the season as rumours surfaced that Lazio would move for former national team boss Giovanni Trapattoni – whom Di Canio fell out with during their days together at Juventus.
There were suggestions that he would be heading for pastures new, or even hanging up the boots for good to move into a coaching career, but the recent arrival of new boss Delio Rossi has helped to secure his future at the Stadio Olimpico, and the darling of the Curva Sud admits there was only one club he wanted to play for next season.
“I am playing for another year because hopefully the people here can see that, even if I am much older now and not able to play in every game, I can still contribute in other ways – by helping the younger players and offering my experience. I want to concentrate on the immediate future and giving my best as a player. I won’t think about managing, coaching or any other aspect of my future until the day I decide to stop playing.
“One thing is certain, though…I will never play for another Italian club. I said I would come back to Italy only for Lazio and that is still the case. If Lazio had decided they didn’t want me next season, I would have considered something else, but it wouldn’t have been playing with another club in Italy. Maybe I’d have gone back to England – I would have been prepared to do that.
“I am honest with myself, though. I feel I can give my maximum for 20 games at the top and as long as the club agrees with me, then I will do it. What I will not do is sign just to take the money, knowing that I will not be able to fulfil their expectations of me. Even if it is only 200 Euros a week, I wouldn’t do it. I will stop playing with my dignity still high.”
Di Canio can certainly hold his head up high when it comes to his contribution to the Lazio cause. After his eight-year spell in Britain that took in eventful spells with Celtic, Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham and Charlton, he took a massive pay-cut in order to bring his career full circle and sign for his hometown club in the midst of their crippling financial crisis.
His antics during the memorable Rome derby back in January proved that he has lost none of his old passion or intensity on the pitch, but the older, wiser Di Canio is certainly a more mellow character away from the game and he puts that down to the pleasure of being back on familiar territory.
“When you go back to your home, you feel so much more comfortable and positive and it allows you to give so much more on the pitch,” he says. “My parents are pleased that I am back and I am happy to be near them again. I also see my brothers regularly and they come to the matches with my cousins, so it is good to be close to the family after eight years away from Italy.
“And of course, it is my dream to be back here playing for Lazio – my team. We have gone through many troubles – the club almost disappeared and it was only the hard work of many people and the support of the fans that rescued us.
“Now we can think about the future in a good way. There are no crazy ambitions but we hope to be playing in Europe next season and the squad has the quality to provide some good times for the supporters again.”
As someone who forged a reputation providing his followers with value for money and moments of sheer brilliance, Di Canio will hopefully continue to entertain for some time yet. After all, for many Serie A heroes, it seems that life really does begin when you’re nearly 40…
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| Interviewed: August 2005 |
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