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Zaniolo, who has been rehabilitating from a serious knee injury sustained at the start of the year, gave a positive update on his recovery progress - before going on to discuss a range of topics, from his many tattoos to the various ways he and his teammates are keeping busy during the current lockdown.
Here's some of what Zaniolo had to say during the course of the interview...
How you?
“All good, after this interview I’m going to go and train. What Roma has been doing during this period is great, being able to help local hospitals – thanks to the donations from the fans – is an amazing thing. We have to thank everyone, we’ve been united like family through this.”
How’s your recovery going?
“Very good, I’m always feeling better. Every day I get stronger. I’m training via video calls, I’m icing – everything I was doing at Trigoria I’m able to continue doing here.”
How has the current situation changed your daily routine?
“It hasn’t changed a great deal. Before I’d go to Trigoria and then come home, where I’d stay the rest of the day. Now I’m at home all day – I think I’ve seen every film on Netflix! I play FIFA and Call of Duty, waiting for this period to end.”
When you are playing FIFA, if you play as Roma and Zaniolo misses a chance in the game do you get annoyed?
“Of course I do. I get angry with myself… but I still make sure I get the ball every time!”
What’s the best goal you’ve scored this season?
“The one against Napoli.”
Do you watch your goals back a lot?
“Yes, especially during the current period. I watch them on YouTube, sometimes I get pumped up all over again watching them.”
Have the fans been behind you during this period?
“Yes, I’ve received so many messages – I’ll always be thankful for that.”
What have you been watching recently?
“I liked ‘Elite’ a lot – and right now I’m watching different thrillers with my girlfriend.”
Do you hear much from your teammates during the current period?
“Yes, in the Whatsapp group there are a lot of jokes flying around. The most active players are probably [Leonardo] Spinazzola and Juan Jesus.”
What does it mean to score and run under the Curva Sud?
“It’s everyone’s dream. It’s an amazing feeling – when you score you are drawn to the Sud… it’s not like you think about it. It’s like a different world when you are there.”
Does the No. 22 have a particular meaning for you?
“I chose it because it is my mum’s birthday – and then also because it was the number Kaka, my idol, used to wear.”
Do you ever play Fortnite?
“I’m not that good, so I prefer not to play it really. Every time I land I seem to get killed straight away, and then you are just waiting around.”
Do you have any advice for getting through tough moments?
“Turn off the phone, don’t read the newspapers and just think about the pitch.”
And for overcoming an injury like yours?
“In the beginning it’s a big blow. The first few months you can’t do anything you could do before, but once you are back on your feet things start to improve and every day things get a little better.”
What’s the highest moments you’ve had so far with Roma?
“The debut at the Santiago Bernabeu and the two goals I scored against Porto. In the Champions League, against a legendary goalkeeper like Iker Casillas – that was a special night.”
Which teammates do you get on best with?
“I have to say we all get on really well, it’s a really united group. Obviously some of the players I’m even closer with – like Pellegrini, Spinazzola and Antonucci. But everyone gets on really well.”
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