Flashscore published an exclusive interview with Demetrio Albertini on 28 October as his new book, "Le lezioni del campo (Lessons from the Pitch)", was released. Flashscore says the book was written entirely by Albertini's own hand, and the interview covered his playing and executive career.
The book and its theme
Asked how much the pitch taught him, Albertini said: "Objectively, a great deal, because the pitch was a true school of life. If you think about it, our lives always develop within a community: family, friends, school, city, nation. And a football pitch is exactly a miniature community: there are teammates, opponents, the referee acting as a regulator, and outside observers. Not to mention everything the dressing room encompasses."
On the book opening with the Camino de Santiago, Albertini said: "That journey was a synthesis of my life."
From debut to the World Cup final
Albertini said he retired from playing in March 2006 and that by May after retiring he became the vice-commissioner of the Italian FA.
On when he realised he would really become a footballer, Albertini said: "I made my debut on January 15th, 1989, at 17 years old. There was fog, and it was cold. I played for a quarter of an hour, a gift."
Speaking about the penalty in the 1994 World Cup final, Albertini said: "If you ask me that, I still get goosebumps; I'm not joking! Furthermore, it was my first ever penalty as a professional. Recklessness, I call it. It was a penalty driven by recklessness, because I was the youngest in the squad."
Life after leaving Milan
Albertini left Milan in 2002. On that moment, he said: "I didn't expect it to end like that, absolutely not. I took it very badly. I would have liked to finish my career at Milan, but I would repeat my entire subsequent path because it made me a different person. I was deeply hurt, but the suffering passes."
Albertini said Roberto Mancini called him when he left Milan, but he had already given his word to Atletico.
He also said Frank Rijkaard called him while he was at Atalanta and then watched him for four to five games because there were injuries and Barcelona were looking for an experienced midfielder. Albertini said he won LaLiga at Barcelona.
Memories of Messi at Barcelona
Albertini said he shared a dressing room at Barcelona with Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi.
On Messi, Albertini said: "That is the absolute truth! I called a friend of mine from Mantova, who is a massive Juventus fan, and I told him: 'I've seen the new Maradona'."
Albertini also said that the following year, when Juve went to play the Joan Gamper Trophy, Capello said to Rijkaard: "Give that kid to me!" about Messi.