Juan Jesus: ‘I don’t know why I didn’t play at Roma, I was never injured’
Napoli defender Juan Jesus said he was ‘never injured’ and that his former club Roma used it as an excuse for leaving him out of the squad at the Olimpico. ‘I don’t know why I played so little’.
The Brazilian centre-back has joined Napoli on a free transfer this summer and signed a one-year contract with an option for a further year with the Partenopei.
Juan Jesus, capped four times by Brazil, has spent four years at Roma after joining from Inter in July 2016.
The 30-year-old has played 182 times in Serie A but struggled with playing time in in recent years, but claimed he doesn’t understand why he only appeared only nine times in total during Serie A 2019-20 and 2020-21.
“I honestly don’t know why I played so little,” Juan Jesus told Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli. “I was never injured, there were so many reports claiming I was injured, but it was not true.
“They had to say something. I have nothing against Roma. I’m just saying what happened, the facts. Everyone who knows me, knows me as a person and as a professional. I have always done what’s asked of me.
“I went to training first and left last. If we look at the games I have played, I have always given my contribution, I have never gained weight, which is something that could happen to those who don’t play.”
Juan Jesus made his Napoli debut towards the end of the 2-1 win over Genoa in Serie A Week 2, and hopes to push for a place in the team against Juventus this weekend.
Roma, Juan Jesus punge: “Non so perché giocavo poco” https://t.co/atgA2zmmVx @CorSport
— Pasquale Salvione (@salvione) September 9, 2021