Chiesa: 'More Ronaldo than Messi'

By Football Italia staff

Fiorentina star Federico Chiesa confessed he “thought about giving up,” but uses Cristiano Ronaldo as more of an inspiration than Lionel Messi.

Still only 21 years old, the son of Enrico Chiesa has already put together over 100 competitive appearances in the Viola jersey, along with 11 senior Italy caps.

“For two or three years, I really struggled to get any playing time, as my physique wasn’t as well-developed as others my age,” Chiesa told Undici magazine.

“When you are 14 or 15 years old, it feels like this desperate disappointment. I thought many times about giving up, but my family always believed and ultimately so did I.

“When I wasn’t playing, I’d try to think: I’ll play the next one. Working hard in training really paid off, it’s the push that got me to Serie A and now has me trying to improve week by week.

“It’s the same attitude as Cristiano Ronaldo. He doesn’t have the talent of Messi, but has won the same number of Ballon d’Or trophies.

“An exemplary professional like him proves if you want to reach the top and stay there, focusing on every tiny detail is crucial.”

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