“Here We Go” — And Never Off the Clock
Sofascore: Fabrizio, welcome to our new episode of A Guest and a Half, Sofascore’s original YouTube series. Thanks for joining us.
Fabrizio: Thanks a lot for having me. Big pleasure to be here.
Sofascore: Just a heads-up—if your phone rings, feel free to answer. Everyone wants to know how you work, and who knows? We might catch an exclusive.
Fabrizio: (laughs) Alright, let’s see what happens.
Maldives, But Make It Business
Sofascore: Let’s go back a bit. You recently took a vacation—something you rarely do. Maldives, right?
Fabrizio: Yeah, although I wouldn’t call it a real vacation. More like working from a beautiful place. I call it a 2.0 vacation. Of course, you can enjoy amazing places, and for me, when there’s an international break, it’s a chance to step out of the daily routine and work in a more relaxed way. It’s really needed. And I came back stronger.
Sofascore: So this is your holiday period while the rest of us are on the beach in July?
Fabrizio: Exactly. Summer is transfer warfare. You can’t relax. Every minute matters. But during March, October, or November, there’s more room to breathe. Still, it’s not full-on relaxing, there is always something like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid. But I can do it in a calmer environment.
Sofascore: When was the last time you turned off your phone?
Fabrizio: Last time I turned off my phone I was 14 or 15. So, yeah… never again.
Transfers, Timing, and Trent
Sofascore: You just casually mentioned Alexander-Arnold. Between us—is it happening?
Fabrizio: I think it’s going to happen. Honestly. It’s very advanced. It’s about the final formal steps now. You need to sign the contract, finish the documents… but at this point, I would be shocked if it didn’t go through. Real Madrid are very confident. I believe it will be the first big signing of the summer transfer window.
Sofascore: And that’s just the beginning of the window, right?
Fabrizio: Of course. There’s going to be more. This summer is going to be very busy. Especially because of the Club World Cup. It’ll change the timing of the window. We’ll see a lot of action in late May, early June. Then clubs will focus on the pitch and restart again when the new season is about to begin. So, compared to previous years when things heated up late, this time the beginning of the window will be explosive.
Here We Meme Again
Sofascore: Time for something light—memes. We picked a few featuring you. First one: “Three words, eight letters—say it and I’m yours.”
Fabrizio: (laughs) “Here we go!” I love this one. It’s funny because people message me asking for video recordings for weddings or special occasions. Every time this happens, I think—this is unbelievable. I never expected this when I started.
Sofascore: And you do them?
Fabrizio: Of course I do. Just send me a message.
Sofascore: We’ll hold you to that. Next one: “Football fans trust this man more than their girlfriends.”
Fabrizio: (laughs) That’s what they tell me at stadiums, on the street. I think it’s good that people trust journalists. But it’s also a responsibility. That kind of trust motivates me. When people say I work 20 hours a day—well, this is why. It’s not just a job. It’s a passion.
Sofascore: Last one: “Don’t worry, he’s good at keeping secrets.”
Fabrizio: That’s actually true. People think I post everything. But the hardest part of my job now isn’t finding the news—it’s deciding when to share it. You have to manage timing. I know so many people in football now—players, agents, directors—and I don’t want to cause problems. It’s about coordination. And that takes time. But taking time sometimes means losing exclusivity. So yes, I keep secrets. A lot of them.
Secrets, Stress, and Sleepless Nights
Sofascore: Which secret was the hardest to keep?
Fabrizio: Good question. I remember one in particular. It was about Chelsea. They were looking for an offensive player, and the media listed 50 names. It was chaos. Then at 3 a.m., I got a call. Someone told me it was Cole Palmer from Man City. But he said—don’t share it until 11 or 12 tomorrow. I was like, “How can I wait that long?” It was just a few days before the transfer window closed. I couldn’t sleep. I loved that news so much. It was a surprise. When I finally posted it, people didn’t believe it. That feeling—when the news drops and people react—is unbelievable. But it was very difficult to keep it in.
Sofascore: Has it gone the other way? You waited, and someone else broke it?
Fabrizio: Happens every week. For example, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, I had lots of information recently, but didn’t want to post anything because Liverpool were in a delicate moment. A year ago, I said Real Madrid were monitoring him. So I was happy with that.
Rating Himself – From Accuracy to Tackling
Sofascore: Let’s move on to the section called Rate Yourself.
Fabrizio: Okay, perfect!
Sofascore: So it’s a typical Sofascore-style rating — from 3 to 10. We have 12 categories. Seven are journalist-focused, and five are about football. I did a bit of a custom setup just for you.
Fabrizio: Thank you! Let’s go.
Sofascore: First one — connections.
Fabrizio: 10! I mean… that one, I own. Connections — nobody can say anything!
Sofascore: Objectivity?
Fabrizio: 8.2. It’s one of the biggest challenges. I try to stay objective, even when I’m at the stadium, seeing a beautiful goal. Sometimes you want to tweet “I love this player!” — and that’s human — but objectivity is always super important.
Sofascore: Accuracy?
Fabrizio: Let’s say 8.1. Not more. You can be wrong — I’ve been wrong — and that’s part of the job. Transfers can collapse at the last second. A player changes his mind. Clubs change terms. I’d say 80% accuracy, maybe even 75%. I don’t have stats, but that’s probably my average.
Transfer Misses and Mind Changes
Sofascore: Do you consider those “misses” your fault?
Fabrizio: Sometimes, yes — especially in the early days when I was younger. I remember pushing the Jadon Sancho to United story a bit too much. It wasn’t done. I didn’t say “Here we go,” but I got carried away. Other times, it’s not my fault — like with Messi.
Sofascore: The PSG transfer?
Fabrizio: Exactly. Messi was in Barcelona HQ to sign the new deal. Everything was agreed. And then it collapsed. La Liga rules. Financial issues. No one saw that coming — not even Messi. Same with Ousmane Dembélé to PSG.
Or like the case with Hakim Ziyech and PSG. Deadline day. Everything done. But Chelsea didn’t send the documents on time. The deal collapsed. People blamed me because I said Ziyech was in Paris. But he was. He was doing his medical. That’s why I always say: if you only want official info, refresh club websites. I will tell you the truth in real time, but I can’t sign contracts for clubs.
Sofascore: And the internet’s always waiting for you to slip.
Fabrizio: Now I’m okay with it. At 22 or 23? I’d go crazy. But Mourinho said — even God wasn’t liked by everyone. So… 80% is fine.
Ethics is The Most Important Thing
Sofascore: Ethical integrity?
Fabrizio: Nine. It’s the most important thing for me. People say all sorts of things — “You’re being paid by players,” “You’re hiding stuff.” If someone has proof, bring it. I’ll shut down my account. I have friends in the industry — of course — but I don’t cross the line.
Sofascore: Top five friends?
Fabrizio: I’ll never tell you. (laughs) But yes, I’ve known some players like Erling Haaland since he was a kid. We used to send messages when he was still in Salzburg. That friendship has grown with time, but I’ve never let it affect my reporting.
Sofascore: Transparency?
Fabrizio: Ten. Everything I do is with my name, my face. People know where I live, they can find me. I’m not hiding in Dubai or something. Right or wrong, I stand behind every word.
Sofascore: Interviewing skills?
Fabrizio: Seven. It’s not my main focus. I want to get better. It takes time and experience — you can’t just wake up one day and be great at interviews. But I’ve done a lot since my Sky Sport days, and I love learning from each one.
Sofascore: Independence?
Fabrizio: Eleven. Everything I do is by myself. No team, no filters. That means more work — more than a standard job. But I chose this life. I love football, and I love doing it my way.
Dominating Off The Pitch, And What About On The Pitch?
Sofascore: Now let’s switch to football. Technical knowledge?
Fabrizio: 6.5. I love tactics — really, I’m obsessed — but I’m not a coach. I’ve written tactical pieces before, and I talk to coaches often, but it’s more of a passion than a deep expertise.
Sofascore: Favourite tactical coach?
Fabrizio: Antonio Conte. He’s my role model — the obsession, the precision. I love how he builds his teams.
Sofascore: Technique?
Fabrizio: Three. Or maybe four. (laughs) I’m not a good player — even at five-a-side. I’m more of a classic Italian defender than a skillful guy.
Sofascore: Tackling?
Fabrizio: Nine. That’s my game. I grew up watching Cannavaro, Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta, Materazzi. Even the average defenders in Italy were excellent. That’s my DNA.
Sofascore: Speed?
Fabrizio: Three. Zero speed on the pitch. Very fast on the news, though.
Sofascore: Shot precision?
Fabrizio: Seven. I used to be obsessed with powerful shots — players like Alex from Chelsea. I love those precise screamers.
Sofascore: Didn’t you score in the Maldives?
Fabrizio: (laughs) Yeah, but that was easy.
Sofascore: Final score?
Fabrizio: 7.7. Not bad. Lower than Podolski — but I like the number seven. So I’m happy.
Football Categories: From Ronaldinho to Juninho, Fabrizio’s All-Time Picks
Sofascore: We usually have this part where we go through typical football categories. I’ll give you a skill, and you tell us the first player that comes to your mind — your pick for the best in that category.
Fabrizio: Okay, give me a second… and can I mention players I haven’t seen live but read about or watched clips of?
Sofascore: Of course — go ahead!
Sofascore: First up: speed.
Fabrizio: I’ll go with Garrincha. I’ve read a lot about Brazilian football, and everything I read made him sound unbelievable. So yeah — Garrincha.
Sofascore: Stamina?
Fabrizio: Javier Zanetti. He had all the qualities, but his consistency was unbelievable. Playing 38 games per season, always at the top level — incredible.
Sofascore: Technique?
Fabrizio: Ronaldinho. For my generation, he was everything. I remember seeing him training on the beach near Camp Nou when I was there with my family. I went home and bought all his books, shirts, everything. He made me fall in love with football.
Sofascore: Vision?
Fabrizio: Andrés Iniesta. But let me also add Toni Kroos. Iniesta was there when I started watching football, but in recent years, I’ve admired Kroos a lot. His mentality is something else. Retiring with the Champions League in your hands at Wembley — unbelievable. I actually had the info beforehand but waited out of respect. That’s how much I admire him.
Sofascore: Long passing?
Fabrizio: Andrea Pirlo. What he did with Milan was insane. Also with Juventus and the national team. When Italians think of passing, we think of Pirlo — and his vision too, of course.
Sofascore: Tackling?
Fabrizio: Gennaro Gattuso. His timing was special — not just what he did, but when he did it. He knew when a team needed intensity, and a tackle from him always sent the right message. I remember a tackle from Conor Bradley at Anfield that got a bigger reaction than a goal — that’s the power of timing. Gattuso had that.
Sofascore: Crossing?
Fabrizio: Luís Figo. What he did at Real Madrid with crossing — fantastic. That’s the name that comes to mind.
Sofascore: Finishing?
Fabrizio: Cristiano Ronaldo. He’s a machine. When it comes to finishing, he’s on another planet. Not just of our generation — of many.
Sofascore: Shot power?
Fabrizio: Roberto Carlos. We grew up with those free kicks. That goal against France… historic. And he was a left-back doing that! Unbelievable.
Sofascore: Shot precision?
Fabrizio: Leo Messi. His precision is art — there’s no other word for it.
Sofascore: Set pieces?
Fabrizio: Juninho Pernambucano. That was exactly my generation. I remember watching him live at Lyon — I was there with my family, and he scored a free kick. The emotion was incredible. At the time, you couldn’t watch every game like now. So seeing that in person was special. I also want to mention Pirlo again here — but I’ve already used him earlier!
The Quiz: From Messi’s Napkin to Mauro’s First Call
Sofascore: Now it’s quiz time. We’re looking for three final answers, and for each one, you’ll get three clues — from hardest to easiest. Let’s start with the first.
Fabrizio: Okay, I’m scared because I’m terrible at quizzes!
Sofascore: First clue — a napkin that sold for almost one million euros.
Fabrizio: (laughs) Messi!
Sofascore: Correct. Second clue — he has 34 million followers. And third — he has 17 times more followers than you.
Fabrizio: (laughs) That’s true. Fair enough.
Sofascore: Tell us a bit about your interview with Messi.
Fabrizio: When Messi walked into the room, I had this feeling — like I’d completed my career. I’ve covered him and Cristiano for years, the legends of my generation. But meeting him, talking with him properly, it was different. He was incredibly humble, kind to everyone, even behind the scenes. He asked me about Napoli, about Italy. He wasn’t in a rush. You expect a legend like him to be quick, distant. But he was relaxed, he listened. For me, that was priceless. And it makes me appreciate him even more.
Sofascore: Compared to other superstars, what stands out?
Fabrizio: Humility. Simplicity. And the way he makes time for people. That’s what really stayed with me.
Messi, Cristiano and Maradona: No Comparisons, Just Enjoy the Greatness
Sofascore: Nowadays, whenever you talk about Messi, it feels like the conversation immediately shifts to Cristiano Ronaldo. And the big question always comes up — who’s better? I’m not going to ask you that… unless you want to answer.
Fabrizio: (laughs) I always give the same answer: Diego Maradona. I’m from Napoli — so for me, it’s always been Diego. But honestly, I’m not a big fan of comparisons in general.
Sofascore: Why do you think we’re so obsessed with comparing them?
Fabrizio: I don’t know. I always say — when you have two legends, whether in football or tennis or anything else — just enjoy them. One day very soon, when they’ve both retired, I think we’ll look back and realize we spent too much time arguing about who was better, who was worse. Meanwhile, some of us were just enjoying every moment — every goal, every bit of magic.
Sofascore: So, for you, it’s more like appreciating a masterpiece?
Fabrizio: Exactly. It’s like walking into a museum and seeing two beautiful works of art. You don’t argue which one is better. You admire both. You highlight the positives, not the negatives. That’s how I see Messi and Cristiano. They gave us something unique.
Sofascore: That said, some Cristiano fans have accused you of misrepresenting him in the past — of twisting his words to make him seem arrogant. What’s your response?
Fabrizio: I understand their passion. But I can say this — go on Netflix. There’s a documentary about the Saudi Pro League, and I spoke about Cristiano for an hour. I talked about him in the best way possible. I’ve met him a few times, most recently in Saudi Arabia. He was playing, and he came over and said, “Grande Fabrizio.”
Sofascore: Wow.
Fabrizio: Yeah — for me, that was like a medal. A special moment. It was a different kind of emotion than meeting Messi, but just as powerful. He was super kind, really easy-going. So trust me — if I had ever said something negative about him, he wouldn’t have greeted me like that.
Sofascore: So you’re not on Team Messi or Team Ronaldo?
Fabrizio: No teams. I’m not pro-Cristiano, I’m not pro-Messi. I’ve been lucky enough to meet both of them in the last six or seven months. So I’m just grateful. Let’s enjoy them — on and off the pitch — while we still can.
The Love for Watford
Sofascore: Let’s move on. Next question. We’re looking for two clubs. First clue — one of them is Watford.
Fabrizio: (laughs) Okay, I know where this is going. The other one is Napoli.
Sofascore: Correct! You’re from Naples, but also a Watford fan. What’s the story?
Fabrizio: It’s funny. When I was young, Napoli were in the third division, so it was hard to connect. And I used to play video games a lot. Watford had Italian owners, so I picked them up as a kind of second team. Then, when Troy Deeney scored that iconic goal against Leicester, I went crazy. I became a fan. Still am.
Sofascore: Final quiz round. First clue — played with Maresca, Cambiasso, Nemanja Vidić and Kylian Mbappé.
Fabrizio: Hmm… tough one.
Sofascore: Second clue — a prolific striker. Seven hat-tricks, three four-goal games. One of those was against his former team, with a 9.5 Sofascore rating.
Fabrizio: Okay, starting to make sense.
Sofascore: Third clue — transferred from Barcelona to Sampdoria, official deal went through in summer, but you had the scoop in the winter of 2010.
Fabrizio: Mauro Icardi. That was my first big story. It was crazy. There was this guy who worked next to La Masia. He was trying to become an agent. Somehow, he got my number. I was 16 or 17, writing for a tiny website. He told me, “There’s this kid, Mauro, number 9, going to Sampdoria for free.”
Sofascore: And you broke the news?
Fabrizio: Yeah. No one cared at first. No one knew who he was. But then he started scoring. Later, the same guy told me he’d signed for Inter — that it would be Moratti’s final signing as president. I shared the story. It exploded.
Sofascore: And then?
Fabrizio: My first day at Sky Sport. They asked me to find Icardi in Milan, take a photo, and try to speak with him. I called the same guy — he said Mauro was doing a Dolce & Gabbana shoot. I went there. Got the interview. I brought it back. That was my first exclusive, and the beginning of everything.
The Biggest Scoops and the Pressure Behind Them
Sofascore: What’s your biggest scoop ever?
Fabrizio: Tuchel replacing Nagelsmann at Bayern. No one saw that coming. Bayern were top of the Bundesliga, doing well in Europe. I got a call late at night: “It’s happening now.” I didn’t believe it. Took hours to confirm. Bayern weren’t replying. That made it more suspicious. Eventually, I went for it. I shared the story. Then the club confirmed and Hasan Salihamidžić, director at Bayern was furious at me. Nagelsmann found out after I published it. He was on holiday in the snow with his girlfriend. I felt sorry, but professionally — it was huge.
Sofascore: What was the reaction?
Fabrizio: Lothar Matthäus said, “How is it possible an Italian gets this before the German press?” It caused waves in Germany. But it showed me how far I’d come.
Sofascore: Any others?
Fabrizio: Zidane leaving Real Madrid. That was emotional. I love Real Madrid. And Zidane is a legend. Being the first to report that — unforgettable.
Sofascore: And the famous Brighton–Cucurella story?
Fabrizio: That was wild. Brighton released a statement basically saying I was wrong. People on social media came after me hard. But I knew the deal was done. I tweeted, “We’ll see who lied.” Two days later, Chelsea confirmed it. That was my Champions League moment.
Sofascore: What about Cristiano back to Manchester United?
Fabrizio: That was insane. Everyone thought he was going to Man City. I knew he was holding out for United. When it happened, I went live on Twitch. 98,000 people watched. It felt like being in a stadium. I’ll never forget that.
Sofascore: What’s your dream “Here we go” moment?
Fabrizio: Doing one live from a stadium. Imagine 70,000 fans, and boom — I drop a live “Here we go.” That’s the dream.
On Sources, Secrecy, and Getting It Right
Sofascore: Can you tell us what kind of people your sources are?
Fabrizio: Could be anyone. Club directors, agents, players. But also — someone at a restaurant. A waiter. A hotel receptionist. A friend of a friend. You get a tip. You check it. You verify. Then maybe, you post. But you don’t rush.
Sofascore: So you don’t just blast everything out?
Fabrizio: Never. Sometimes someone sends me a photo of a coach with a player. I wait. I confirm. Then I will report. That’s how you build trust. And that’s why I’m still here.
The Board: Gossip Kings, Party Stars and Football Geniuses
Sofascore: Let’s move on to something a bit different — our special board. You’ve seen it before. We have some roles and labels, and we want you to assign names to them. First up: “Chill guy.”
Fabrizio: I’m going with Dean Huijsen. He’s very relaxed, super calm. A chill presence both on and off the pitch. I’m really impressed by him. A young player arriving at Bournemouth, Premier League, centre-back — that’s not an easy task. But he’s handling it really well. I think it is going to be a really big fight for him during the summer.
Sofascore: “Always angry”?
Fabrizio: Antonio Conte. No doubt. Always pushing, always demanding more. And I mean that in the best way. He’s the ultimate motivator. Always wants the best for his team. He never settles.
Sofascore: Best dressed?
Fabrizio: Jules Koundé. Every time I see photos of him going to games or training, the style is just perfect. Total class.
Sofascore: Party animal?
Fabrizio: (laughs) Neymar. I don’t think I’m revealing anything new here. He’s always been someone who knows how to have fun. On the pitch, off the pitch — that Brazilian flair.
Sofascore: Who loves vegetables?
Fabrizio: Erling Haaland. He’s incredibly strict with his diet. He’s a machine. But once in a while, he does enjoy some Italian food — carbonara, for example — but just once a year, maybe.
Sofascore: Candy lover?
Fabrizio: (laughs) I have no idea, honestly. I’m not one myself, so I really don’t know.
Sofascore: Trains 24/7?
Fabrizio: Ivan Perišić. What he did after his injury, returning to top form at his age — it’s inspiring. Torn his ACL, returned to Croatia, to Hajduk, people thought he was over, but he came back, playing and scoring goals in the Champions League again. He’s a beast, mentally and physically.
Sofascore: Future coach?
Fabrizio: Luka Modrić. He’s a football genius. The way he reads the game, his leadership, his intelligence — I think he’d make an incredible coach one day. I don’t know if he will choose to go in that direction but he has all the characteristics.
Sofascore: Captain?
Fabrizio: Fabio Cannavaro. No doubt. I remember it clearly — I was around 15 when we won the World Cup. And even at that age, I could feel what he represented.
Sofascore: Jokester?
Fabrizio: Cristiano Ronaldo. When I met him recently in Saudi Arabia, he was incredibly warm, relaxed, and joking around. It really surprised me in a good way. Not something you’d expect from someone with his profile.
Sofascore: Braveheart?
Fabrizio: Gavi. This kid puts his body on the line every time. Total warrior. I saw him play after a bad injury, and he was still throwing himself into challenges like a veteran.
Sofascore: Never satisfied?
Fabrizio: I’ve already said Conte, but I’ll add Lamine Yamal here too. Despite all the success already — Golden Boy, big goals for Barça, European champion — he’s still pushing hard, training seriously, staying humble. If he keeps that mindset, he’ll be a legend.
Stroke of Genius: The Birth of “Here We Go”
Sofascore: Let’s talk about your catchphrase — “Here we go.” How did it start?
Fabrizio: Totally random. No branding agency, no plan. I just started adding it at the end of tweets. People loved it. And it worked — simple, clear. It tells fans the deal is done. Not in progress, not being negotiated — done.
Sofascore: People shout it at you on the street?
Fabrizio: All the time. Everywhere. Not my name — just “Here we go!”
Sofascore: Do you see yourself as a superstar now?
Fabrizio: No, not at all. I’m just a journalist. I love what I do. And I love football. That’s it.
Sofascore: Last one. What’s your “stroke of genius” moment in football history?
Fabrizio: As a player — Maradona’s Hand of God. My family always talked about it. It’s part of our story. As a coach — Mourinho. The way he used communication to win, to protect his players, to shape narratives. Genius. And then Guardiola — for tactics. We were lucky to live in this era.
Sofascore: Fabrizio, thank you. It’s been a pleasure.
Fabrizio: Thank you for having me. Great chat. And of course… Here we go.