Baschirotto: ‘Unloading pigs tougher than training’ or marking Lukaku | OneFootball

Lecce captain Federico Baschirotto did not go through the normal path to Serie A stardom, but learned a lot along the way. ‘Unloading pigs from a truck is harder than lifting weights’ or man-marking Romelu Lukaku.

The versatile defender can play in a central role, at right-back or left-back, but at the age of 28 has become a fan favourite at the Stadio Via del Mare.

He was even floated for Italy duty by Luciano Spalletti after Roberto Mancini showed interest, a remarkable turn of events for a man who until two years ago was still in the lower divisions.

“I think that is my greatest strength, because 97-98 per cent of people stop at the first sign of difficulty, but I am in the other 2 per cent,” Baschirotto told Men’s Health magazine in Italy.

“I reached Serie A at the age of 26, but I got there, even if many didn’t believe in me. I was rejected by Chievo at age 13, sent away from Cremonese at 18, but I used every setback to push myself back up. I was always my own mental coach, along with help from my family and agent.”

Baschirotto battled to earn his playing career

TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 26: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus focuses on the ball as he is pursued by Federico Baschirotto of US Lecce during the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and US Lecce at Allianz Stadium on September 26, 2023 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

He made his Serie A debut when Lecce lost 2-1 at home to Inter in August 2022, where he had to man-mark Lukaku.

“It was so exciting, finally my moment had arrived. I was like a kid at a theme park, I didn’t care who was in front of me.”

Baschirotto spent years having to supplement his income from a playing career with work in the fields, where he followed in the footsteps of his father.

He also worked as an activity leader in his local community, where he mentored future Tottenham Hotspur player Destiny Udogie.

“When you worked in the fields, you cannot complain because of tough training. Unloading pigs from a truck is harder than lifting weights. When you’ve seen your father come home at the end of the day totally exhausted, you understand that life isn’t roses and you cannot complain over a hard training session. If someone is inspired by my story, I can only be proud of that.”

The player also took a particular pride in looking after his body, which means shunning the fashion of players getting increasingly elaborate tattoos.

“I’ve never got a tattoo and never will. It’d be like putting go faster stripes on a Ferrari. My routine is always the same, I wake up at 7am, have breakfast and go into the gym before training with the team. I even got the Lecce kit staff to get me a copy of the keys so I can go in early. I’m my own fitness coach.”

That goes back to his days in the amateur and lower league teams.

“Football is a lot more physical now than it was and technique just isn’t enough. I can bench press 140kg, but I go to the gym only to be better on the pitch,” concluded Baschirotto.