According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter midfielder Zielinski said that, after living in Italy for 15 years, he still wants to continue playing at the top level, with the goal of competing for the Champions League with Inter.

From the glass windows of the hotel overlooking the bay, the Swan River flows towards the Indian Ocean. Zielinski found his direction early on: he fell in love with Italy, and now he is seeking new opportunities to enrich his professional career. As one of the key players in Inter's double-winning season last year, the 32-year-old Pole is preparing for the new season without setting limits for himself. After all, dreams are part of ambition.

So, how should we address you first: Piotr or Zielo?

“Zielo is fine.”

All right, Zielo. It's already 2026, and you've been in Italy for 15 years—half your life. Why?

"Because I've developed a connection with your country. I had many opportunities to move elsewhere, but my first choice was always Serie A. The food is good here, life is good, and everything a player could want is here."

But this league is not as competitive as it once was.

"I don't think it's that bad at club level: Inter have reached three European finals in recent years, while Roma and Atalanta have both won trophies. I don't think the overall performance is bad."

How did your transfer to Udinese in 2011 come about?

"I was 17 then, and I had already been living away from home for 4 years in the Zagłębie Lubin dormitory, 120 kilometers from home. We went to La Manga, Spain, with the Polish youth team for a youth tournament. That experience proved fortunate because half of Serie A contacted me, offering me a 10-day trial. Udinese impressed me with their contract, and it really worked out: Andrea Carnevale knew I was good after only a few training sessions. My transfer fee was only 100,000 euros, which I think was a very worthwhile investment."

It must have been difficult to adapt at first, right?

"It was really difficult. Although I had learned a little Italian, I couldn't speak it. When I arrived at the team, the itinerary said 'Ritiro', and I had no idea what it meant. Then they woke me up and told me to pack my bags because we were going to the mountains for training camp. Back then, internet access was not so convenient, and I missed home and my friends a lot. A few times, I even thought about going back to Poland. The club's Italian teacher, Georgios Arafat, helped me a lot. He accelerated my integration into the team and also helped Allan, Pereyra, and others."

To start at the beginning, how did you get into football?

"I had a very happy childhood. My father, Bogusław, was a coach, and whenever he had time, he would take me to the field and teach me techniques. I also liked playing tennis and used to be fascinated by Federer and Djokovic, but my true love was football. In the garden at home, I often played with the ball with my two older brothers."

Long-term practice also helped you develop a rare skill: the ability to kick with both feet.

"That comes from practice. Once, when I was little, my mother Beata took me to a game because my father couldn't make it. At the end of that game, there was a penalty shootout, so I asked my mom if I could take my penalty with my left foot. She said yes. I took the penalty with my other foot and didn't miss. Now everything feels more natural. In the youth leagues, I even scored free-kicks with both my left and right feet."

Everyone says that your idol is former Arsenal attacking midfielder Tomáš Rosický.

"That's right. I once had an assignment at school to write about who my idol was. I wrote about Rosický. Back then, Poland didn't have such strong number 10 players, so I looked to the neighboring Czech Republic... I know many kids look up to superstars like Zidane, Iniesta, or Ronaldinho, and of course I admire them too, but I felt the strongest connection with Rosický. I also saw some of my own characteristics in him, and he had a great influence on my development. Honestly, he was a truly top-class player."

Your peer, who is now the sporting director of Sparta Prague, must be proud of this.

"I don't think he knew about it beforehand. Maybe he'll see it today..."

However, Zielinski's path has been different: he transitioned from a number 10 to a wide midfielder and, under Chivu, even played as a deep-lying playmaker.

"Who knows, maybe I'll end my career in Poland as a defender... There have certainly been changes. I became a true midfielder at Empoli, first under Sarri, and then Gattuso, in particular, helped me complete the transformation. At Inter, I'm also learning to play as a deep-lying playmaker."

You used to openly dislike this position.

"But I have to admit, I'm slowly being convinced now. Back then, it was more psychological resistance. I still feel more like a wide midfielder, but I'm perfectly capable of playing in front of the defense."

What happened between your first and second year at Inter? A year ago, it seemed as though you were going to be shown the door.

"I hoped the new coach would be interested in finding out why I hadn't performed well earlier. Fortunately, that's what happened. He understood me and waited for me. Then I gradually unleashed my potential. I never thought about leaving Inter."

Why was your first season so bad?

"First, I had injury problems. I tried new boots and got blisters on my feet that even the physical therapists had never seen in their careers. That led to other problems. Second, the responsibility was also mine. I underestimated how difficult it would be to transfer from Napoli. I should have worked harder and accepted that I couldn't always be a starter."

What are your expectations for Inter now?

"My dream is to win the Champions League. We will give everything for it, starting this year. But in the Italian league, we won't miss any opportunities either."

At 32, have you started thinking about what you'll do after retirement?

"I don't like to think about it because it scares me. I'm not that old, either. I'll draw inspiration from phenomenal players like Modrić, who is still playing at a high level at 41 and remains in excellent physical condition. I need to take better care of my body, and I'll pay closer attention to it so I can keep going. But I hope I can remain in top-level football for another 5 to 6 years, preferably at Inter."

What is Zielo like off the field?

"I like spending time with my family and staying away from the hustle and bustle. My wife and I have two children and a dog, and we prefer living near Como, just a few kilometers from Appiano. My daily routine is to drop the kids off at school and then head to the training ground early in the morning. I rarely go out. It was the same in Naples: I didn't live in the city center, but in Volturno, not far from the Castel Volturno training base."

You’re still involved in charity projects in Poland.

"Yes. We built two facilities that house a total of 20 orphans or children from disadvantaged families. My parents also live in one of them. It was their idea. Think about it: when I was little, they were already taking some of these children into their home. Once, they even came close to adopting a brother and sister."

What did this experience teach you?

“To share, and to respect everyone.”

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