Full Interview with Weston Mckennie: “I couldn’t say no to Ronaldo”

Juventus midfielder Weston Mckennie spoke to Kwik Goal before USA begin their World Cup campaign against Wales.

Mckennie reveals his emotions while signing for the Bianconeri:

“Signing for Juventus was crazy, unbelievable. I was sitting on the couch at home, in Germany, about to leave for preseason with Schalke and my agent called me saying there is real interest from Juve. I couldn’t believe it

I got on the plane to go to Austria where we had training camp, then I was on the bus after we landed and they said the coach will call you. Pirlo? I sat there with my phone there thinking ‘oh my god.

We had a rule then, no phones at the table but I kept mine between my legs. When I got a call from Italy I jumped up and ran out. It was Juve telling me we believe you can be important for our team.

I just hoped everything would go smoothly and it happened, after three days it was all done. I went back to Germany to get my stuff and I signed for Juve on my birthday. It was the best day of my life.”

How was playing with Cristiano Ronaldo like?

“Incredible to play with him. Everyone has this image of him as arrogant and only thinking about it but he’s a guy that enjoys working. He likes it but he also likes to spend time with his family.

He has a different way of taking care of his body. We would comeback from away trips at maybe 3am and train the next morning. The others would immediately go home but he’d stay to go into the ice baths.

I hated the ice baths but he would tell me to come with him, that it’s good for you! If you don’t want five minutes just do 20-30 seconds. We would stand there and talk, how could I say no to him.

In the first couple of months I couldn’t believe I was playing with a legend like him but then after being a fan you have to be a professional. We laughed and made jokes.”

Childhood heros? 

“My childhood hero growing up was Francesco Totti. I didn’t try to emulate him, I always wanted to be myself. I had a physiotherapist that used to work with Roma & he helped me get an autographed shirt of his”