Danilo: ‘Juventus is my home and I wouldn’t think twice’ if called to new role

Danilo admits ‘Juventus is my home, so I wouldn’t think twice if called’ back to the club in a new role after retirement, and hit out at those who pushed him away.

The game with Lecce kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The defender left a year ago to join Flamengo, albeit making it abundantly clear that it was not his decision to depart from the Old Lady.

“I am really nervous, as there are so many emotions here, so I am struggling a little,” Danilo told DAZN Italia.

Among the reasons for his presence this evening is that former teammate Gleison Bremer is celebrating the 100th Juventus appearance, having always called Danilo an inspiration.

“You cannot really plan a career, you just have to work hard every day and try to improve. Fortunately, I had a good career, with many sacrifices, and I am happy that people like Bremer can feel they learn something from me,” replied Danilo.

He had at the time blamed coach Thiago Motta and director Cristiano Giuntoli, but both have since been dismissed by the club and are no longer in Turin.

That perhaps helped pave the way for this first step back into the Allianz Juventus Stadium, where he can salute the supporters properly.

“There are levels both on and off the field. I have to thank Giorgio Chiellini and the other directors who are there now, who took the situation in hand, and in my view have a clearer head to deal with the situation.

“Juventus is tough, not everyone can work here. I returned because I had so many wonderful moments here and I’m glad to be back.

“The world of Juventus is where I learned to really play football for the jersey, for the fans, for the employees, for everyone who is part of this world. That is not to be taken for granted, it weighs on you when you are on the field.”

Would Danilo return to Juventus in future, as a player or in a new role?

“Absolutely yes. I still have a year left on my contract at Flamengo, we still have many objectives for next year, I don’t know if I’ll still have the right mindset to play football after this year. A life off the pitch awaits me then, and as I always said, Juventus is my home, so I wouldn’t think twice if called.”

The fans prepared banners and chants to honour the former captain, who also spoke to the crowd with the microphone before kick-off.

“It is so emotional to be here, in this stadium, I wanted to come back here and thank you, for you were the people who pushed me on during the difficult moments,” said Danilo to the crowd.

“It is a year since I went elsewhere, because this is life, and no longer wear this jersey, but nobody can take it away from my heart. Thank you everyone.”