ULTRA MAG | ISSUE 3 - RENO PISCOPO
Thu, Sep 30.21
Reno Piscopo has one hell of a story so far. From heading over to Milan at the age of 12 to learn his trade at one of the biggest clubs in the world, to exciting local fans here in the A-League and for the national team.
His creative style on the pitch is also matched off it, with influence from one of the world's most important fashion capitals; Milan.
One of our favourite shoots, we hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for catching up with us, Reno. You’re a player that really excites us with your style both on and off the pitch. Tell us about some brands you like to wear, we noticed you’ve got a decent collection of footwear too?
I don’t have a favourite brand in particular. Whatever i feel like looks good ill wear. I tend not to go big on colours too, i like to keep it simple and clean.
Footwear wise I’ve got a lot of shoes, Dior, McQueens, Jordans and always a fresh pair of white Air Forces; can’t go wrong!
Can you take us back to your time at Inter, signing as a 12 year old kid must have been exciting but very daunting. How did you find that early experience and how do you think it affected you in those formative years?
My first reaction when i got told Inter Milan wanted to sign me wasn’t a happy one. I was scared at the start and didn't want to go but over time everything got easier once i was there and doing what i loved.
I think being at Inter for so long made me the player i am today, it developed me a lot on and off the pitch and i'm better for the experience.
How was it for your family moving you over there at a young age? Can you please tell us about the experience and the difficulties you all may have faced. It all sounds awesome to us - but it must be hard to up and leave for an unknown period of time?
It was just as hard for my family. We all had to sacrifice being away from each other for a long time and they did that for me. I’m always thankful for that. Being apart was the most challenging thing for us. Over the years we kind of got used to it and i was lucky l that my family was able to come visit me whenever i needed them around.
Did you find in Italy there’s a big difference in how things are done with youth players? We're curious to know what a normal day was like as a teenager. How early did you learn tactics and systems?
In Italy they invest in their youth at a very young age. They try develop them as soon as possible and in the best way they can. There were thousands of kids from every age group coming through the system. As soon as i got there at the age of 12 they would teach us about tactics. It was straight into it - learning and training all the time.
In Italy they invest in their youth at a very young age. They try develop them as soon as possible and in the best way they can. There were thousands of kids from every age group coming through the system. As soon as i got there at the age of 12 they would teach us about tactics. It was straight into it - learning and training all the time.
I know our readers will be keen to know which big names you played and trained with back then. Any standouts?
I trained with many great players, a couple that come to mind first are Mauro Icardi, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic and Nemanja Vidic.
What were your favourite things about the country? Do you think the Italian way of life and the way they view style and fashion has shaped your taste as well?
What were your favourite things about the country? Do you think the Italian way of life and the way they view style and fashion has shaped your taste as well?
Italy is a beautiful country with amazing food and Milan was an amazing city. I don’t think i would have been able to stay there that long if it wasn’t. Milan is a big city with fashion at its heart and it's definitely where i started showing interest and getting a taste of the brands, style and fashion.
What was it like finally returning back to Australia. Did you still feel like an Aussie by the time you got back after eight or so years?
After being away for so long i was really excited about being closer to my family. Knowing that i would be seeing them a lot more felt good. I still did feel like an Aussie but i had and still have the Italian mentality and ways as people do mention.
After being away for so long i was really excited about being closer to my family. Knowing that i would be seeing them a lot more felt good. I still did feel like an Aussie but i had and still have the Italian mentality and ways as people do mention.
Stefan Colakovski mentioned Héctor Bellerín as an athlete he valued in terms of pushing the boundaries of style off pitch. Do you have any you look up to as well?
I remember growing up i used to always copy David Beckham. I liked his style and whatever haircut he had, i had.
Nowadays the style has changed, i like the way Jadon Sancho and Memphis Depay go about it.
What kind of tunes do you listen to pre-game to get you going? Who are you keen to see live once things return to normal as well?
Tunes wise it's mainly hip hop for me. Drake and Lil Baby are my top two.
It’s obviously been a very challenging time of late for Wellington Phoenix not being able to settle and play all their games back home. How was your time in Wollongong? Did you enjoy getting to know a different part of Australia that you might not have thought you would before the pandemic hit?
It hasn’t been easy for us at Wellington. Not knowing where we are going to be based and not being able to play in front of our home fans was really tough. In saying that though our time in Wollongong was decent. I think majority of us at the club enjoyed our time there.
What was it like finally getting back in front of the Wellington Phoenix fans last season?
Going back to Wellington last season and playing in front of our home fans again was special. They were simply amazing. They showed us so much love and support leading up to the game so you knew the atmosphere was going to be unreal!
What have you been doing to pass the time now you’re back in Melbourne. With such a long pre-season what do you do to stay fit mentally and physically?
Now that I’m back in Melbourne and can’t be with the team due to restrictions I’ve been having training sessions everyday to keep fit. I want to join the team in the best form i can be. I’m also lucky enough to have a gym at home so thats helped a lot with my training.
What are you goals for next season?
What are you goals for next season?
My goals this season is to be better and do better than the last, i have high expectations and i want to achieve what I’ve set out to do.
Photography by Aleksandar Jason.
Photography by Aleksandar Jason.
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