Not many people knew that West Ham United’s striker Gianluca Scamacca played most of the last season with a meniscus tear. He kept quiet and played for as long as his knee allowed him. It was only when the pain had gotten unbearable that he went to surgery. It’s just one of the facts the Italian international revealed speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.After three months out recovering from the operation on his knee, the former Sassuolo attacker got back on the pitch this week, playing the first half of West Ham’s friendly win at lowly Boreham Wood.”On Monday, we had a friendly, and I played 45 minutes. It was the first part on the pitch after three months of inactivity and meniscus surgery. It was fantastic to be back on the pitch, and I felt excellent. I’ll be in top form at the start of the season. I’m lucky to be fit after last season’s physical problems.”Spezia change the club badge and make their life hell! Is this a football or a nazi logo?!West Ham’s season was a mixed bag, with the team struggling in the wrong end of the table before securing survival in the Premier League late on. But on the European front, it was fantastic. The Europa Conference League was a happy hunting ground for the Irons – even if Scamacca had to miss the final in Prague.”Maybe people don’t know it, but I played with a broken meniscus all year. Then at a certain point it was impossible to continue and I ended up under the knife. Until March, I played 27 games, scored eight goals. It could have gone better but could have also been worse. The Europa Conference League triumph was a great joy for everyone. We had that trophy in our sights from the beginning of the season. I didn’t play in the final against Fiorentina, but I feel the trophy also belongs to me because I scored three goals in seven games.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7365333##Gianluca is an avid Roma fan, although lately, AC Milan have been credited with interest in signing him. The 24-year-old forward admits he gets nostalgic about his homeland but will only return if there is a chance to move to a place better than his current one.”I’ve always been nostalgic, and I always will be. But if I were to return to Serie A, it wouldn’t be because I failed in England — which isn’t the case — but simply because it would be an opportunity that cannot be refused. I’ve always thought with my heart, and I will continue to do so in the future too. And you know what the two colours of my heart are: yellow and red. But now I’m a West Ham player and I feel good here despite all the rumours. For me, Roma is home. And Francesco Totti is my boyhood idol. And what player in the world wouldn’t dream of being coached by Jose Mourinho? I am convinced that Mou would stimulate me, and I would improve even more with him.”45 in the tank! 🔋Good to be back! 🦁 #PreSeason pic.twitter.com/IIezphbMY3— Gianluca Scamacca (@GScamacca91) July 10, 2023 These days, many players are lured by unthinkable money to the Saudi Arabian clubs, but this Italian isn’t ready to chase that final payday just yet.”It’s still too early for me to go there. Saudi Arabia is becoming a big power in football. But now, if you want to leave your mark and try to write a piece of history – you have to play in Europe.”
