Piero Carrera, former president of Liguria, the first team El Shaarawy played for, and now honorary president of Savona, spoke to "Corriere della Sera" about the 1992-born player's return to Genoa. Here's what he told the newspaper.

Carrera's Memories

"De Rossi was decisive for his return; he was the key to opening the doors of the Rossoblù," explained Piero Carrera. "El Shaarawy joined Liguria at the age of 6 and moved to Genoa when he was just over 11. I have always had a brotherly relationship with Michele Sbrana, and I was always the first to recommend our talented players to him. He played a decisive role in El Shaarawy's career and always believed in him."

"El Shaarawy returns to Liguria every year to see us. In June, I also attended his wedding. He is a grateful and very emotional person; I almost watched him grow up, and I was really happy to be there when he got married. I am very happy that he is back in Genoa, back to a place that will welcome him like a son, like a king. Many Genoa fans I know were praying for him to come home, and now they are all excited. El Shaarawy could have earned more money abroad, but he thinks with his heart and not with his head, and that's the kind of person I like," concluded the former president of the Savona club.

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