Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Bologna full-back Adam Masina not paying attention to Inter Milan links

Bologna's coveted full-back Adam Masina insists he is not paying any attention to the rumours linking him with a move to Inter Milan and is just focused on enjoying the career he never thought he would have.

The 21-year-old has burst onto the scene for the Emilia-Romagna club this season, just years after they told him he was not going to make the grade. The Morocco-born defender, who now represents Italy at U-21 level, has more than proven those critics wrong and played his way into the shop window with his performances in Serie A this term, although he says he only has to prove things to himself and not to potential suitors.

"I never read the papers, in the good times or the bad times -- that's my personal choice," he told La Repubblica. "I think there are some rumours, but I grew up here and the thing that pleases me the most is being able to wear this shirt -- it's an honour.

"It's priceless and I would love to stay here and become captain, and then I would love to win something because I really love winning."

That was not looking particularly likely in 2012, when he was told that he was not going to be given a professional contract by the Rossoblu. "It was a horrible moment," Masina recalled. "My grandma Teresa, to whom I owe a lot, coined a phrase which I had never heard before, that 'one door closes, but a huge gate opens'. I didn't believe a word of it.

"Perinelli, the coach of the youth team, told me to think about studying hard because I wasn't going to make it as a footballer. So Bologna didn't keep hold of me, but luckily Giacomense took me."

Two years later, Bologna signed him back from the fourth-division side and he is now being tipped for a place in the Italy squad, after saying he has his sights set on appearing at a World Cup.

"I didn't specify which one though!" Masina said. "The fact there are not that many left full-backs around could help me, but I need to take things slowly and think about improving a lot." Right now, Masina is gaining experience in the U-21s "putting flour in the mixer to see if any good bread comes out of it."

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