Cole Palmer expresses his desire for Chelsea to sign a top Arsenal player, calling him the best in the Premier League—not Saka—and hints he may even join Arsenal in the future just to play alongside him.

Riccardo Calafiori, a 22-year-old defender for Arsenal and Italy, bears a tattoo on his arm that reads “never give up,” a phrase that holds deep personal significance for him. It serves as a constant reminder of the traumatic knee injury he suffered at just 16 years old while playing for AS Roma in a UEFA Youth League match. The injury was severe—Calafiori tore all the ligaments in his knee—leaving him in fear that he might never be able to walk properly again, let alone pursue his football career.

“This was my first tattoo, and I got it because of that experience,” Calafiori revealed. “It was an incredibly difficult time. At 16, I suddenly faced the possibility that I might never play football again.” Despite the bleak outlook, Calafiori defied the odds and made a stunning recovery. His determination and hard work culminated in a major achievement this past summer when he signed with Premier League giants Arsenal for a transfer fee of £42 million.

In a forthcoming episode of *Football Focus*, Calafiori sits down with presenter Ronan Kemp to discuss how the move to Arsenal came about, his unique journey of learning English through Netflix and UK drill music, and his thoughts on British culture, including the classic dish, fish and chips.

Reflecting on his injury and recovery, Calafiori admits that while the experience was painful and challenging, it ultimately shaped him into the person and player he is today. “You learn to appreciate the little things and mature as a person,” he said. “The injury helped me grow, not only as a player but also as a person. When I first returned to the pitch, I approached every challenge without fear, ready to prove myself.”

Throughout his recovery, Calafiori received invaluable support from Roma and Italy legend Daniele De Rossi. De Rossi, someone Calafiori had idolized as a child, regularly visited him during his rehabilitation and even drove him to physiotherapy sessions. The two developed a strong friendship, and De Rossi has since become a key mentor in Calafiori’s life.

He’s one of my closest friends, and I always turn to him when making important career decisions. His advice is always spot on,” Calafiori said. De Rossi also played a pivotal role in Calafiori’s decision to join Arsenal. “I spoke to him about the Arsenal move, and he told me, ‘This is one of the biggest opportunities for you to grow as a player.’”

Ultimately, Calafiori credits his difficult journey with teaching him resilience and shaping his football career.
Riccardo Calafiori’s journey from a traumatic knee injury at 16 to becoming a key defender for Arsenal at 22 is a testament to his resilience and determination. The tattoo on his arm, “never give up,” reflects the personal significance of his recovery from a devastating injury that nearly ended his career before it truly began. Tearing all the ligaments in his knee during a UEFA Youth League match for AS Roma, Calafiori feared he might never walk properly again. However, his remarkable recovery and unyielding work ethic led him to sign with Arsenal for £42 million this past summer.

In an interview with *Football Focus*, Calafiori opened up about how this adversity shaped him, not just as a player but also as a person. He learned to appreciate the small things in life and face every challenge without fear, which fueled his determination to succeed on the pitch.

Throughout his recovery, Roma legend Daniele De Rossi played a crucial role as both a mentor and close friend, supporting Calafiori during his rehabilitation and even helping with physiotherapy sessions. De Rossi’s guidance also influenced Calafiori’s decision to join Arsenal, reinforcing the move as a pivotal opportunity for his growth.

In the upcoming interview, Calafiori also shares his journey of adapting to life in England, including learning English through Netflix and UK drill music, as well as his experiences with British culture. Despite the challenges, Calafiori’s story is one of perseverance, showing how adversity can shape a promising career in football.