Castrovilli exclusive: "I would never have left Fiorentina". Plus the story behind Vlahovic's tears in the dressing room

Castrovilli, now training with Figline after leaving Fiorentina, reflects on injuries, his family's support, and regrets over managerial changes.

Gaetano Castrovilli, the former Fiorentina number 10, has been without a club since June after his contract expired. Now 29 and training with Figline Valdarno near Florence, he opened up about his career struggles in an exclusive interview.

Castrovilli has endured two anterior cruciate ligament injuries since 2022, along with various muscle problems that derailed what had been a promising career. He admitted to considering retirement during his darkest moments, but found motivation in his family—particularly his young son Brando, who asks to watch him play. "Every time is a blow to the heart," he said. A change of agent in June was meant to secure him a move to La Liga, but he now works with a new agency and is focused on recovery.

He spoke warmly of managers Vincenzo Italiano and Vincenzo Montella, and shared an anecdote about Dusan Vlahovic crying in the dressing room after a 2020 loss to Inter, showing how much the striker cared about Fiorentina. Castrovilli also reflected on missing both Conference League finals due to injury, including the West Ham final where he tried to play through pain but couldn't manage it.