The first player to speak on Udinese Tonight in the 2025/26 season was Daniele Padelli, fresh from
having renewed his contract for another season at the club.
Padelli's long career stretches all the way back to the early noughties.
“I think this is my 24th season as a professional,” he explains. “It's nice in a way, but less so in another way! I have to thank the club, the city, the fans and everyone, because last year could have been the last, but I think I still remember how to do a few things and there are always two parties in a relationship. I'm happy to carry on being a footballer and keep wearing this shirt and if I was offered a new contract I guess the club think it's a good thing too.”
What was it like opening your locker again this year?
“It creaked a bit... like my shoulders and my knees! It's nice though because it means you do a professional job and your work is appreciated. It's one thing to make it as a professional, and another to stay in the game long term. That's something that fills me with pride. I'm also happy I'll be able to celebrate my 40th birthday here. It's not a milestone that scares me. I'm quite relaxed about it because I've been saying I'm 40 for the past year. Besides, being surrounded by all these youngsters makes you feel young. Well, youthful – I can't be young anymore. They keep me alert.”
Padelli also shared his thoughts on the formation of the squad for the new season.
“We've just started again. It's the first few days and it there's still a bit of a holiday atmosphere, but this morning we had the first real training session on the pitch and that atmosphere dispersed. Now we're getting down to the serious work, getting ready for a big season. There's a good mood. Lots of lads have come back from various loads with a bit more experience. Obviously some people will leave and others will join, but regardless of any uncertainty at this stage it's all about working with a common goal, which is the first game of the season.”
What are Daniele's personal goals?
“On the one hand I hope a top player like [Luka] Modric comes to Serie A, but on the other hand I hope he doesn't so that I'm the oldest player in the league! I've been told that if I were to play a game after 5 May, I'd become the oldest player ever in Udinese history. In any case, my really goal is to help the youngsters, the club and anyone else who needs it. Everyone knows that's the role I have here. Last season I got the chance to play a bit as well and it was fantastic, but if it doesn't happen again this year it wouldn't be a disaster. If I get the chance to play a few minutes, I'll be happy.”