Morgan de Sanctis: The people who shaped my life in football

Roma goalkeeper Morgan de Sanctis has enjoyed more than two decades at the highest levels of professional football – so which individuals have had the biggest influence on his career?

In a revealing interview with asroma.com, the Italian goalkeeper provides a fascinating insight into his first footballing heroes, the people who’ve inspired him – on and off the field – to reach his potential, and the trusted friends who advised him along the way…

The hero who inspired me to be a goalkeeper…

“The main goalie I looked up to as a child was Walter Zenga. He was a brilliant goalkeeper, a flamboyant player to watch with a massive personality. As a kid, it was natural to admire a guy like him.

"I was only a youngster, so didn’t really appreciate his technique, but I was instantly impressed. He was exuberant, charismatic and between the late 1980s and early 1990s he was the role model for any young player looking to become a goalkeeper. I even played against him in Serie B when he was with Padova at the end of his career.”

The established star who showed me what was required to be great…

“I was also very much influenced by Angelo Peruzzi. When I joined Juventus, I was 20 years old and still had a lot to learn. I needed an expert goalkeeper by my side. He was a fantastic goalkeeper from a technical perspective - very tidy.

“There was never much in the way of fireworks from him but he was extremely efficient and helped me no end. He had a very calm character and was very different to me in that regard. Seeing him so calm before, during and after matches really helped me.

“I still try to emulate that in pre and post-match - but during play I’m very different! Maybe that’s because I’ve always played for teams with such passionate fans – it makes you get more involved in the match.”

The teammate who helped me the most…

“Definitely Nello Cusin. We crossed paths at Pescara in Serie B in the 1994-95 season. He took me under his wing and helped me work up to my debut in professional football. He was the starting goalie with Pescara but at one point I had to replace him during a game due to injury - and from that moment on I became the number one. He showed great class because he was right behind me even though the situation was obviously benefitting me at his expense.

“While we’re talking about Pescara, I also have to give a mention to Gino Di Cenzo – he was the coach at the time. He made the call to play a young guy like me in a very competitive league.”

The people who made me into the man I am…

“I can’t look any further than my mother and father. I am who I am because of them. I had two fantastic parents behind me and they always did everything they could to keep my feet on the ground and make me feel supported.

“Then, at the age of 19, I met the woman who would come to define the second part of my life – my wife. Together we have produced a wonderful family.

“I’m a very smiley person and I consider myself a lucky man because I have a lovely family. That counts for a lot in a job like mine, when there is always a lot of pressure around you. I have fantastic children and I’m so lucky that we live in a place like Rome because it means I can realise my dreams as a man and pursue my objectives as a footballer. I feel very content.”

The friends who advised me when Roma came calling…

“Well, the first contact I had with the club was through Walter Sabatini and Mauro Baldissoni. After that, I set about speaking to all the people I could think of that knew what it meant to play for Roma. I spoke to Simone Perrotta, Vito Scala, Francesco Totti, Daniele De Rossi and Aurelio Andreazzoli, who I knew from my time at Udinese.

“I learnt a lot from those people - although Roma were coming off the back of a poor end to the 2012-13 season at the time, so their advice was conditioned by that somewhat. They all told me that when you played for Roma, you had the chance to be loved and revered.

“I saw it as a continuation of the growth I’d experienced at Napoli and I have to say I felt very passionate and had a real bond with the team as soon as I arrived. That’s what sets clubs like Roma apart from the rest.”