{"id":3923,"date":"2026-01-18T08:00:27","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T08:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/arsenal-defender-riccardo-calafiori-reveals-unlikely-footballing-idol\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T08:00:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T08:00:27","slug":"arsenal-defender-riccardo-calafiori-reveals-unlikely-footballing-idol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diyhaven858.wasmer.app\/index.php\/arsenal-defender-riccardo-calafiori-reveals-unlikely-footballing-idol\/","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori reveals unlikely footballing idol"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Arsenal\u2019s Riccardo Calafiori has revealed an unexpected footballing idol \u2013 and it\u2019s not who many would have guessed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a recent exclusive interview with VERSUS<\/em>, the Italy international spoke candidly about everything from his role as an ambassador for adidas\u2019 underwear line, to who he thinks has the best hair at Arsenal (Noni Madueke, for the record). <\/p>\n

But it was his footballing idol that really caught attention.<\/p>\n

While most would assume he looked up to legendary Italian defenders like Paolo Maldini or Alessandro Nesta, Calafiori revealed his inspiration came from a more surprising source: Aleksandar Kolarov, the former Manchester City and AS Roma full-back.<\/p>\n

“When I was younger at Roma, I was lucky to train with the first team,\u201d Calafiori explained. \u201cI got to learn directly from Aleksandar Kolarov, who played my position. He was someone I could watch every day \u2013 his technique, his mentality \u2013 and he gave me advice and small details I still keep with me today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Kolarov was his main influence, Calafiori did mention the classic icons of Italian defending. \u201cOf course, defenders like Maldini, Nesta, Chiellini\u2026 those players are icons for me,” he added.<\/p>\n

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\"Aleksandar<\/picture>