I was the best with Buffon, and then drugs destroyed me

The confession of former Italian goalkeeper Angelo Pagot, who says that he is leading a happy life today at the age of 51 and has new goals

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Photo: Isfootball8.com
Photo: Isfootball8.com
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The life story of former Italian goalkeeper Angelo Pagot in an interview with "Corriere della Sera". The now 51-year-old goalkeeper recounted his journey through the hell of drugs, which ultimately ruined his football career, reports Index.hr.

Pagoto won the European Youth Championship with Italy, and during his career he played for Pistoiese, Sampdoria, Milan, Perugia, Empoli, Reggiana, Trieste, Arezzo, Torino, Grosseto and Crotone.

He started with what he regrets most, which is not having a good relationship with his mother.

- When I look back, I regret the most about my mother's care. I was 14 years old, Napoli called me and I moved from Verbania. She was scared - she raised me alone. She was a worker who went to Switzerland just to secure those extra 700-800 lire a month. She gave me the opportunity to believe in my desires, she never stopped me from dreaming. Today we are not on good terms, and I hope that one day I will find her again and that we will laugh together at the stupid things I did - said Pagoto.

He then described what he had been through. Italy became the European Under-1996 champion in 21, and at that time Pagoto defended before Gianluigi Buffon.

- It was a period in which he and I were the best goalkeepers in Italy. I recently spoke to him, I congratulated him on his new role in the national team. 'I have to thank you, because you are the only one who won the European Championship', he joked. That team was very strong, there was him as the second goalkeeper, then Totti, Nesta, Panucci and Cannavaro, who still calls me Big Jim because of the haircut I had at the time - Pagoto recalled.

The problems were identified when he tested positive for cocaine on 28 April 2007, just before a Serie B match between Pagot's Crotone and Spezia. He pleaded guilty and was banned from playing professional football for life at a hearing on 30 July. He appealed and his sentence was soon reduced to eight years. The ban expired in 2015, when he was 41.

- For me, cocaine was an escape, especially when I had no goals. At that moment I was at Crotone, I didn't play much, my career was over. I met a lot of bad people who I couldn't say no to. Drugs separated me from reality. I thought it solved my problems, but it didn't. I was addicted for three years and I suffered from depression. I didn't get off the couch for six months, I'm still taking medication.

Today, he says, he is a happy man.

"- I have a wife I love by my side, I hope to have another child, although at 51 I am no longer a kid. I have many goals. I will not be happy until I reach them. I want to return to Serie A as a goalkeeper coach. I have already gained important experience at Avellino. Today I coach goalkeepers in Prato. I see myself on the pitch, leading a football school where future talents can flourish."

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