Calafiori, the superstitious one? Why the rising star is suddenly refusing to put pen to paper – and what it means for Inter

Did you hear about this too? Something’s happening in the Curva. Not on the pitch, but after it. Riccardo Calafiori, the man who’s currently taking half of Italian football by storm, is making headlines with a gesture as old as the sport itself: he’s refusing to give an autograph. But hold on, before you think it’s arrogance or a bad mood – that’s far from the truth. I watched the game, and let me tell you, there’s more to it. It’s about an old football belief that might get a smirk here, but in Italy, it’s celebrated: superstition.

It happened last week. A fan, over the moon, holds out a Premier League title print – a rarity, for sure. But Calafiori, who’s delivering a top-tier Calafiori review this year, pulls back. He’s superstitious, was the word afterwards. Full stop. That’s him. He doesn’t want to jinx the success, not even by putting pen to paper before it’s in the bag. Honestly? I love it. In an era where every 20-year-old player has his own clothing line, a bloke who refuses to sign a photo because it might upset the vibe is just brilliant.

But let’s talk about what really matters: the football. Because for us here in Switzerland, who love Italian calcio, the question isn’t whether Calafiori is making a statement, but: how to use Calafiori properly? I’ve watched him live in several games now, and what stands out is this kid’s incredible adaptability. Word from the dressing room is that he’s spoken openly about his time with the Italians, the structure at Inter, and especially about Chivu. Cristian Chivu. If you’re wondering why Calafiori has such composure in his positional play, the answer might lie with the former Inter defender. The way he carries the ball forward, the way he holds the line – it bears the hallmark of a master who learned the hard yards himself.

Looking at the stats, it’s clear: Calafiori is no simple full-back. He’s a chameleon. And that’s where the ultimate Calafiori guide for next season comes in, which I highly recommend:

• The left side as a control point: Put him out wide, but give him the freedom to drift inside. His strength isn’t just hugging the touchline and crossing; it’s about overloading the centre.
• The build-up helper: When the opposition presses, he’s the outlet. He looks for the vertical pass inside, just like Chivu did in his prime. No fear of taking risks.
• Defensive discipline: Yes, he likes to join the attack. But his anticipation is world-class. In one-on-ones, he can look relaxed, but he has that uncanny instinct to put in a tackle at the perfect moment.

The whole autograph story reveals his character. A guy who believes in the unspoken. For me, that’s not a flaw, it’s a mark of quality. Football thrives on characters like this. People who don’t take victory for granted, but treat it almost like a sacred duty. If Inter or another top club is thinking about how to use Calafiori, they can’t just look at the stats. They need to understand how his mind works. He needs a coach who respects the superstition – and the freedom to step out of line.

So, forget the brief hesitation with the pen. This kid has his sights set on the next step. He has the title in his sights, and he doesn’t want to risk anything, not even a signature. If that’s not proof of the right mentality, I don’t know what is. I’m looking forward to the next few weeks. Because if he keeps this up, we’ll be having plenty more discussions about this Calafiori. And then, only then, when the title is secured, he might just pull out the pen again. But until then: hats off to the superstitious one who knows exactly what he’s doing.