Toloi: 'Lucky to have met Gasp'

By Football Italia staff

Atalanta defender Rafael Toloi says he’s “lucky” to have met coach Gian Piero Gasperini, and would like to play for Italy if called by Roberto Mancini.

The Brazilian gave an interview to Italian magazine Undici, and Toloi says he doesn’t forget what it took for him to make it to the upper echelons of the game.

“I don’t forget the sacrifices I made, I know the path I took, I know that it wasn’t easy,” Toloi told the magazine.

“I can’t afford to waste anything, I wouldn’t forgive myself. Since I was 13 years old I’ve lived alone, away from my family to play football, in Goias.

“I went without my parents because they had jobs in Brazil. Flavia, my wife, has always been with me, she’s helped me a lot.”

Toloi originally arrived in Italy as a Roma player, before going back to Brazil and then joining La Dea in 2015.

“In Brazil there was a lot of talk about me, many sides wanted me, but I dreamed about European football, and I wanted to play in Italy.

“I also chose Rome because there were many Brazilians in the squad who could help me. They made me feel at home immediately.

“If I had gone there without having any compatriots, who knows, perhaps I would have had more difficulties and my story would’ve been different.

“In the end I reached my goal, to make myself known in Europe. Even if Roma didn’t keep me, they were important months of my career.

“I am lucky to have met Gian Piero Gasperini, he is always very concentrated. I have been in Bergamo since the coach arrived.

“His work of the highest level. He made us grow, with him we became stronger.”

Atalanta are 90 minutes away from an historic appearance in the quarter final of the Champions League, so what does Toloi think of their run in the competition thus far?

“It’s another thing, playing against teams that play to win. For us it’s a beautiful experience. We enjoyed ourselves against Valencia and we hope to continue in the competition.

“The league is different, also in the formula, you have time, and there are more games and a lot of teams play also for a draw.

“In the Champions League, they are all full-on battles.”

Toloi has an Italian passport, so would he consider a call up to the Azzurri?

“It would be an honour to wear the Azzurri shirt. I have Italian great-grandparents and I have been here for five years, in this beautiful country.

“I would instantly answer [Roberto] Mancini’s call.”

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