Many people never get to touch their childhood dreams. Since August 17th, Vicario has been able to touch a small part of one every day. After signing with Juventus, making his debut for Frosinone, and producing spectacular saves for Parma, he was interviewed by the media and stated that playing for Juventus was more important to him than playing in the Premier League, and that Buffon was his idol and the best goalkeeper in football history.

In just 16 days, he condensed a lifelong wish into a fairy tale. However, this is just the beginning of this promising goalkeeper's journey. On loan from Tottenham Hotspur, he has already become a key player on the pitch and shown leadership off it. Vicario snatched the number one spot for the Bianconeri from world-class rivals like Alisson and Martínez, and now he doesn't want to relinquish it.

"Sign a blank contract and stay for life? If I had to choose—" the Friulian said, "I would decide to stay here for many years right now: I'm in my dream team. What the future holds remains to be seen, but my only thought now is to help the club, my teammates, and the coach, and do everything to the best of my ability. Juventus' history is clear: we must fight to the end on all fronts and strive for victory."

Let's go back a bit. How did you get that childhood room covered with Gazzetta dello Sport articles and Buffon memorabilia?

"The Gazzetta dello Sport clippings were put up by my parents, and the autographed Buffon jersey was a birthday gift from my cousin, who, like my father, is a Juventus fan. They passed on their love for Juventus to me. Gigi's jersey was with me for many years and always brought good luck."

After sleeping with Buffon's jersey for so long, you actually wore it in your Frosinone debut. How did that feel?

"If I said I was completely calm, I'd be deluding myself. Wearing the Juventus jersey is such a great honor and privilege; the emotions are indescribable. There was pride and positive tension, no fear, because fear shouldn't exist in football. It was a dream come true."

Did Buffon message you?

"We talked when I signed, but what he told me, I prefer to keep between us. Gigi said many good things to me, and I can only thank him. Fortunately, there's no comparison to Buffon—we're talking about the best goalkeeper in football history, an 'alien' in every sense: technique, presence, consistency. I have to forge my own path."

You and Zoff are both Friulian: do you have a connection?

"He's a legend and has always been kind to me. He once said the problem is that goalkeepers talk too much. I think you have to distinguish between occasions: neither too dramatic nor too silent."

What is Juventus like from the inside?

"You immediately feel the history, the sense of belonging, the discipline, the trophies, and the winning mentality. And the pressure, which should be there: Juve is a world-class club. It has millions of fans; I can tell from the number of tickets and jerseys my friends ask me for."

It's well-known that before fully pursuing you, Juventus also approached Alisson (Liverpool) and Martínez (Chelsea). Do you feel like you were just a backup choice?

"I always wanted to join Juventus, but I couldn't control how the transfer market worked. I completed the entire preseason without any warm-up matches, just waiting for the transfer. I was indeed waiting for Juventus, but I never felt like I was just a backup. If I'm here now, it's because the club and the coach chose and wanted me to be Juventus' goalkeeper. That was my goal, and I've achieved it; any other talk is idle chatter. What matters is now, not the past."

Spalletti is the coach who gave you your national team debut: how do you feel seeing him again?

"I've worked with him and know him well: he's clear-headed, concise, and has a strong understanding of football. We will see a proactive Juventus. For me, his demands are simple: to give my all."

Do you think about that save against Parma?

"Juventus goalkeepers have to make complex things simple. Those spectacular actions are certainly impressive because they stand out more, but the league is long, and you have to maintain consistency at all times. I cramped during my Frosinone debut because that match drained all my physical energy at the time; it was just a few days after I joined Juve, and that summer was very special for me. Plus a bit of nervousness. Also, after three years away from England, I was no longer accustomed to that kind of heat."

From the Premier League to Serie A—this is an unconventional choice. Is it just because of emotion?

"Juventus is more important than the Premier League! Winning in this jersey would be the greatest satisfaction, more than anything else."

Kessié chose Atalanta over Juventus: were you surprised?

"I'm just a player, not a sporting director."

On Sunday you're playing AC Milan: are you more concerned about Ramos, Modrić, or Rabiot, and what would you learn from Maignan?

"AC Milan is a big club with many good players, but we are Juventus, and we must respond with equal intensity. Modrić, Maignan—they are all top players, but I don't want to take anything from anyone."

Kolo Muani and Sarr were your teammates at Tottenham Hotspur: how many goals do you expect from the Frenchman?

"I think Kolo has settled in very well at Juve and is happy, unlike he was in London: he's full of fighting spirit and very determined. As for goals, like any striker, he expects them himself, and I have no doubt he'll score many. Sarr has a great engine—very Premier League—and will help us break down opposition defenses."

Isak couldn't score against you when Newcastle United played: with his physical abilities, can he have an impact on Serie A like Ibrahimović?

"We hope so; everyone can see his physical talent. But Alexander is also technically very good, excellent in the air, and can link up play: we've just gotten to know him, and he's a good person."

You won the Europa League with Tottenham Hotspur in 2025, and now you're challenging for it again with Juventus: what's the secret?

"The secret is to take it seriously. Juventus must always compete for victory on all fronts. The Europa League initially seems secondary, but later on, everyone will start to pay attention. From the first round, the team must go out with the belief of winning it all. By May, people's perception of the Europa League will change, but the work must start now. Our team understands the importance of this competition, and others in the squad have won it before: Koopmeiners, Sarr, Douglas. The Europa League is a very important objective for us."

Grabara replaced Perin: did you know each other before?

"Goalkeepers generally know each other. I remember he had a great season in Copenhagen. He's a very strong and quality goalkeeper. We have healthy competition, which is normal."

After Juventus, your goal is the Italian national team: have you spoken with the new coach Mancini?

"Fortunately, I've been with the Azzurri for four years, and the Italian national team is every player's dream: now we're waiting for the Nations League."

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