Fabio Capello couldn’t hide his admiration for Riccardo Calafiori during his appearance on Sky Italia, delivering glowing praise that instantly caught the attention of football fans across Europe.
The legendary Italian coach went as far as comparing the young defender to two of the greatest defensive icons of the modern era. “You’re like a young Sergio Ramos, only left-footed,” Capello said with a smile, before taking the compliment even further by adding, “I’d put you in front of the back four, you’d be like Marcel Desailly, only with more quality on the ball.”
It was a statement loaded with significance, name-dropping two players synonymous with leadership, defensive dominance, and championship pedigree. For a player still in the early stages of his rise, such comparisons underline just how highly Calafiori is now rated among the elite football minds.
Visibly humbled by the praise, Calafiori responded with modesty rather than bravado. Slightly embarrassed, he smiled and gently played down the comparisons, saying, “Maybe we should go slow with the comparisons…”
His reaction only added to the admiration around him, showing a grounded mindset despite the growing hype. Yet, Capello’s words will inevitably fuel expectations, as fans and pundits alike begin to imagine just how far Calafiori’s potential could stretch.
When a manager of Capello’s stature draws parallels with icons like Ramos and Desailly, it’s a powerful signal that Italian football may be witnessing the rise of a truly special defensive talent.
