Video: Zaniolo admits Roma mistake, tears up about Mourinho

Nicolò Zaniolo is revitalising his career at Udinese, but admits he made ‘a mistake’ last time he faced Roma, revealing he ‘tears up’ thinking about the Conference League and Jose Mourinho.

There will be the opportunity to reminisce on Sunday when the Friulani visit the Stadio Olimpico, but he did not leave a good impression here last time.

He scored for Atalanta in the Eternal City and celebrated wildly, having already been jeered and insulted at every touch by his former fans.

“I would not repeat that celebration at the Stadio Olimpico, and I apologise to anyone who felt affronted by that,” said Zaniolo on the Lega Serie A Channel.

“I was coming off a negative period and it was an instinctive reaction, but one I would not do again. You make mistakes in life, you never know what might happen.”

Zaniolo had forced Roma’s hand during the January transfer window when walking away, so as the other leagues had already passed their deadlines, his only real alternative was Turkey for Galatasaray.

There followed loan spells with Aston Villa, Atalanta and Fiorentina, all failing to make an impact, until he started to deliver for Udinese this season.

Despite that bitter breakdown of his rapport with Roma, he insists there are happy memories of his time there, above all when he was part of the squad that won the Conference League under Jose Mourinho.

“We worked so hard to win that trophy, and it does move me when thinking back on it. My goal in the Final was one of the best days of my life,” assured Zaniolo.

“We celebrated through the streets of Rome in an open-top bus with the trophy, it was so exciting.”

Although they did not always get along, Zaniolo reveals the bond with his ex-Roma coach Mourinho remains a strong one.

“We still speak every now and then, we remain in contact. Mourinho got to meet my family, he asks how my father and my son are doing. He is both a fantastic coach and person.

“I learned so much from what he gives you. I think the day of the Conference League Final means a lot to him too, it was a day of pure joy. My eyes tear up when I talk about it.”