Immobile: "After Sarri Left, I Faced A Very Tough Period. As Captain, I Had To Take On Responsibilities I Wasn’t Prepared For. I Suffered A Lot Because Of It."

Besiktas striker Ciro Immobile has opened up about the primary reason behind his departure from Lazio last summer. After spending eight years with the Capital Eagles and becoming their all-time leading scorer, the Italian international opted for a fresh start in Turkey.

A graduate of the Juventus academy, Immobile's career has taken him across several clubs in Italy and abroad, including Genoa, Torino, Borussia Dortmund, and Sevilla. However, his time at Lazio marked a significant chapter in his career, where he cemented his legacy as the club’s top scorer during his eight-year tenure.

Since joining Besiktas, the Euro 2020 winner has maintained his sharpness in front of goal, netting 13 goals in 20 appearances this season. Reflecting on his decision to leave Lazio, Immobile pointed to the departure of coach Maurizio Sarri in March and the challenges that followed as decisive factors.

"After Sarri left, I faced a very tough period. As captain, I had to take on responsibilities I wasn’t prepared for. I found myself in a whirlwind that overwhelmed me. I suffered a lot because of it. When your mind isn’t calm, your body doesn’t function properly, and you end up hurting yourself—exactly what happened to me. All of that made me decide it was time to move on," Immobile shared with La Lazio Siamo Noi.

Despite his decision, Immobile expressed regret over not being able to bid farewell to Lazio's fans on the pitch. 

"My only regret is not saying goodbye to the fans. Like every story, there’s a beginning and an end, and it would have been nice to finish on a happy note together. But a farewell can still be positive, like two friends parting ways with a smile. That’s something that has stayed with me," he admitted.