I was afraid of dying. I left Juventus for the gossip»- Corriere.it

Palermo, January 16: Tot Schillaci re-emerges after a long silence, because he is in the clinic where Messina Denaro was arrested in Palermo for some checks.

What moments were they?

I had breakfast at the clinic bar, I was trying to light a cigarette and everyone was on top of me. I thought it was an attack, the impact was strong, then they reassured us.

Fourteen months ago he had to face a tumor.

The world fell on me, I went into depression, I was scared of dying. Everything came to my mind, but fortunately this nasty ailment was limited to the colon, it didn’t damage other organs and was removed. I no longer have a rectum and sphincter. Between dying and having these problems, better a few small problems.

Are exams continuing?

I was operated on twice, then six months later they found a small spot on my neck, they burned it a week ago with radiotherapy and today I have checks to see if everything is fine. But I feel good, I would like to continue living. And experience in reality TV Beijing Expressshot in India, (the reality show, a Sky Original show produced by Banijay Italia will be broadcast today every Thursday on Sky and in streaming on NOW ed) has given me new courage and strength: life goes on despite the difficulties.

What do you think of Dino Baggio’s alarmed words?

We took whatever they gave us, but under medical supervision. Link these diseases to the past? I don’t even want to believe it, I hope it’s not like that and I want to trust the doctors.

How important was his wife Barbara?

Very, very much. she was my personal physician, in everything. She was always close to me: I didn’t want to go out, I was depressed, I suffered, I was in pain. She was there, she grabbed me by the hair and told me to take my life back. she was a warrior, she held me up.

What father?

I let my children live, I have never hindered them. After all, they are very good: Jessica is a nurse in Verona, Mattia studies dentistry in Portugal, Nicole is an artist in Chiasso and already works for fashion. Alberto, Barbara’s son, studies with Mattia. We are an extended family, we have a beautiful relationship.

Is it true that Boniperti came to your house to mend the crisis with his wife Rita during the gossip period about the story with Lentini?

The company knew that there were problems in my marriage, for which I later separated. And this has influenced certain choices.

Do you leave Juve for the gossip?

There have been difficult moments, very bad, also because of the opposing fans. This may have affected my performance and Juve may have wanted to sell me.

What is your relationship with Rita?

I talk about it as little as possible. Everyone does what he wants, the relationships are over. The important thing is that she was a good mother, she raised Jessica and Mattia with values. The rest doesn’t concern me.

No national team, among those that have not won, has been as loved as that of 1990. Why?

Because we were the strongest team, because we played in Italy and also because of the Magical Nights song. My exploit helped, I didn’t expect it either.

Have you ever felt trapped in that magic?

No, because such a fairy tale was unimaginable: everything I touched turned to gold, I had a great opportunity and I took advantage of it. If you ask me why I was like this, I can’t explain it. I had scored 21 goals for Juve, won the Italian Cup and UEFA, true, but I was a rookie in the national team: I was elected best player of the tournament and finished second in the Ballon d’Or.

Is it true that Tacconi predicted his goal against Austria?

Stefanuccio had foreseen two, one of which was a header, as happened later. With him we are more than brothers: I always talk to his son Andrea to find out how the rehabilitation after ischemia is going: the stroke was strong, the road is very long, but he is improving.

Not everyone remembers the importance of Vialli’s assist.

Real. If he hadn’t made that strong and tense cross, I wouldn’t have scored and maybe everything else wouldn’t have happened. Gianluca was a team man, a captain, someone who always fought. A respectable person, fundamental to my career: even the goal against Argentina was thanks to him.

In Three Men and a Leg there is a sketch in which you are referred to as Grand Vizier of all southerners. Among the chants of the fans (Steal the tires) and other insults, however, it wasn’t all easy.

I had some difficulties, with the “terrone” writing on the walls of Turin and then the choirs in the stadiums. I am proud to be Sicilian and happy to have brought Sicilianity to the world: we in the South have this warmth inside.

Did you unite Italy a bit?

I took advantage of my opportunity and I have a very good relationship with people, obviously also with those of the North: perhaps I have passed on something. Then there will always be the protesters, even up Beijing Expresss I have read comments against me. They can tell me everything, even about the hair, about ignorance, even if ignorance can be seen in how you behave and I don’t feel ignorant. I accept everything, except that one thing is said.

Which?

I’m looking for visibility.

Being Schillaci served you in the reality show competition?

Yes, because I don’t speak English well and I tried to use my image to ask for lifts and help. When I was telling people to put my name on Googlethey changed their attitude: a gentleman instead of the terrace gave me his room.

A reality show so demanding similar to sports?

Yes, because we are all friends, but then when there is competition, you play to win. I knew it would be a tough but amazing experience, Ciro Ferrara had also told me about it. I was perplexed because I had just recovered from the tumor, but the reassurances of the doctors and the will of my wife made the difference. I didn’t start in optimal conditions, but I never lacked the spirit of adaptation.

A constant for her.

S and all that you see in the true reality show. I was expecting a different India, but instead I saw so much poverty. This is an experience that I compare to that of the World Cup, because it marked me and for the relationship with the people.