Edel: The most disappointing thing is Italy VS Sweden in the World Cup qualifying play-offs. Ventura is different from what he looks like.

Italian forward Eder has played for Empoli, Frosinone, Sampdoria, Inter Milan and Jiangsu Suning during his career. He announced his retirement in 2024. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Eder looked back on his career.

About going to Italy to play football

When I was 17 years old, on a flight to Rome, I met an Italian priest, Don Nino. I told him to go to Empoli to become a football player and he gave me his blessing. Since then, my journey has been filled with goals and joy. When I retire in 2024, I feel very happy.

The first city I played in Italy was Cassia, where there was Santa Rita Church. I believe in coincidence. In 2015, after seeing me score on my debut against Bulgaria, Don Nino wrote a letter to Sampdoria and I invited him to come to Genoa. In 2018, the day after we beat Lazio to qualify for the Champions League, I flew to Buduso in Sardinia to see him, and the local church was named after me.

When I was a kid, I played indoor football. When I was 13, I moved to the green field and became a forward. My mother is a teacher and my father is a politician. They taught me many values, such as the fact that I now run an agency that cares for more than 200 children with cancer. In my spare time I enjoy raising horses with my brother-in-law, which is very relaxing.

On how to join Empoli

The first person who noticed me was Corvino, who was working between Lecce and Fiorentina. In 2003 I went to Puglia for a month and the trip was a nightmare. I was only 16 years old at the time, and when I got off the plane I was holding a sign that said 'minor'. The police thought I was carrying some contraband, so I could only use hand gestures to explain that I was here to play football. In the end, I chose Empoli because I wanted to keep my promise.

It was really difficult at the beginning. We were training hard and working out in the gym and I was eating my butts. I was injured a lot and often called my dad crying and saying I wanted to go home, but Empoli was very good to me. After my debut in Serie A, I went to Frosinone and spent a year and a half in Serie B, scoring 21 goals. Then back at the Castellani Stadium, I scored another 27 goals and helped the team gain promotion to Serie A. Roma, Milan and other clubs wanted me, but Empoli loaned me first to Brescia and then to Cesena.

About his favorite coach

Mihajlovic. He told everyone that I was good but I was inconsistent. He inspired me to fight. Without him, I wouldn't have made it to the national team.

There are only some rumors about whether the Brazilian national team has contacted him

. Friendlies were mentioned, but when Italy called me I accepted immediately. If I had a choice, I would choose the Azzurri because I owe it to this country.

On whether it is easier to learn the national anthem or to face Conte’s training

Of course it is to learn the national anthem! I threw up during training with Conte, which included warm-ups, tactical drills, gym sessions, YO-YO tests, sprints back and forth. I thought: 'How is this possible? ’ But then we really took off.

About the most disappointing thing

Italy played against Sweden in the World Cup qualifying play-offs. Everyone is responsible, but Ventura is inconsistent, and Belotti and Immobile were also on the field when they were not in good condition. At San Siro, the pressure broke us. I could have come on as a substitute in the second half, but De Rossi's scene happened and the score was still 0-0.

On a possible move to Leicester City in January 2016

I would play behind Vardy and everything was arranged, but Mancini and Ausilio convinced me to change my mind. Ranieri responded politely: 'If you want to be as happy as a child, come to us. ’ I went to Inter but barely played and Leicester won the title that season.

About future plans

I would like to be an athletic director, but for now I enjoy family life. I hope to finish my career back at Sampdoria and occasionally I look back at the goals I scored over those years, it was a great time.