Wilfried Gnoto: The Night He Became An Interista, His Dream Club And His Idol
Written By Jacobs Dunga
The teenager recently made his Azzurri debut and had this detailed interview on his future aspirations.
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The youngster who joined Inter Milan at the tender age of nine grew through the academy before leaving in 2020 at the age of sixteen.
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He was sold to Zurich FC in the Swiss league without making any senior appearance for the Nerazzurri.
The 18 year old has now grown into a full international and ready to take on the world after helping his club to the Swiss Super League title and making his Azzurri debut all at the teen age of 18.
In a detailed interview with Sport Week, the breakout starlet revealed his dream club, his idol and the day he became a true Interista after growing through the youth ranks of the club.
My dream is to play for Barcelona. Messi is my idol, even now that he is at PSG. He made so many sacrifices from the beginning, his family has always supported him and he never forgets his origins.
“He’s a quiet guy, he hasn’t gotten too big-headed; I see myself in him. On the pitch, then, he is unique.”
The four time capped Azzurri international then spoke glowingly of his former club Inter Milan where he met his best friend and how he cried on the night of the infamous Miralem Pjanic kung fu kick on Rafinha that went unpunished before Juve grabbed a late winner in a controversial match at the San Siro.
“It was there that I met the man who is now my best friend in football: Elio Zalli, a forward like me, even if his feet are a bit like that. Now he’s at Sassuolo, we talk all the time. When I arrived in Milan I wasn’t a fan, for me there was only Barcelona and Messi.
“Then I became fond of the Nerazzurri, and sometimes I even cried. On the occasion of Inter-Juve in April 2018, for example: the match of Pjanic’s missed sending off for the foul on Rafinha. I was at the San Siro with a friend of mine, and when Higuain scored with a few minutes to go we burst into tears. That night I became an Interista for real.”
The fast rising star assisted a goal on his debut for Italy against Germany after coming in as a substitute and went on to become the youngest ever Azzurri goal scorer in the reverse fixture where Italy lost scandalously by two goals to five in Germany.
Meanwhile…
The Italian born starlet with Ivorian roots however revealed his early years and how his mother saved to transport him to sessions.
He was particular about the sacrifices of his mom which he appreciates more as a grown up better than he did as a child.
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“I’m not embarrassed to talk about when my mother used to put aside tips to get petrol and take me to training, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. As a child, however, I didn’t realise what my parents did for me, now I can understand it and I’m grateful. I thanked them.”
Growing up could have been a bit difficult for the Verbania born forward but the hard work he has put in is finally becoming evident.
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