Di Natale: 'Why I turned down Juve'

Antonio Di Natale returns for Udinese-Palermo on Sunday and reveals why he turned down Juventus. “I made a promise.”
The Capocannoniere and Ballon d’Or candidate was left behind for Wednesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Napoli, but has recovered for tomorrow’s match.

“Everyone wants to win, but it is already an honour for me to have become the player with the most goals in Udinese’s history, to have played in the Champions League with this jersey and found a way into the Italy squad,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

Toto’ turned down an offer to join Juventus over the summer and was also linked with other top clubs.

“I had sworn to President Giampaolo Pozzo that I would end my career at Udinese and my word is worth more than any signature on a contract.

“Besides, I didn’t go to my hometown club Napoli, so how could I change my mind to join Juve? Many years ago there were some talks when Pierpaolo Marino was the director general, then nothing ever came of it. Aurelio De Laurentiis? He never called me.”

Udinese squad: Handanovic, Padelli, Romo; Armero, Basta, Benatia, Danilo, Domizzi, Ekstrand, Neuton, Pereyra; Abdi, Asamoah, Badu, Doubai, Isla, Pinzi; Di Natale, Fabbrini, Floro Flores, Torje

Waste of a talent in Udinese. Nothing against them but without Di Natale they're pretty poor.

We must pay him respect he is the only captain except ADP that left his career in Udine

I have massive respect for his loyalty, it's a rarity nowadays. But, as a football fan I wanted to see him in the champions league with a strong team.

Very Loyal!