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Leonardo Spinazzola Receives Heartwarming Farewell From Italy Teammates Before Undergoing Achilles Surgery

Leonardo Spinazzola Receives Heartwarming Farewell From Italy Teammates Before Undergoing Achilles Surgery

Italy star Leonardo Spinazzola has ruptured his achilles and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Leonardo Spinazzola was given a heartwarming farewell by his Italy teammates as he prepares to undergo surgery on a ruptured achilles tendon.

The Roma left-back suffered the devastating injury late on in the win over Belgium and was in tears as he left the pitch on a stretchered and was replaced by Emerson Palmieri.

Having been one of the players of the tournament, the 28-year-old will play no further part in Euro 2020 and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Before he does go under the knife, though, his Azzurri teammates made sure to give him a wonderful send-off.

While the team and staff were sat together having a meal in the hotel, Spinazzola hopped in on his crutches and was given a round of applause by Roberto Mancini's squad.

Every player, as well as manager Mancini, then embraced the former Juventus and Atalanta man in beautiful scenes shared on Italian national team's official Twitter account.

On the flight back home from Germany, the Italians cheered up their colleague by singing his name.

Juventus winger Federico Bernardeschi took control of the plane's tannoy and led the squad in chants of "Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole, Spina, Spina".

Former England striker Alan Shearer was full of praise for Spinazzola on BBC's coverage and described his injury as "a massive blow" to Italy ahead of their semi-final showdown with Spain.

He said: "We've highlighted him before and after games as he brings so much energy and brings so much to that Italy team defensively, as you saw with the goal-line clearance and also offering a threat the other end."

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Topics: Football, Euro 2020, Italy