Michele Padovano, “Innocente”: the documentary on his trial history

“I was moved to see my son Denis cry as I recalled my story. This story took 17 years of my life, but it also upset Denis’ adolescence.” Michele Padovano has teary eyes and his chest out as he leaves the Cinema Massimo, in the center of Turin, after the premiere of “Michele Padovano – Innocente – 17 years without freedom”, the documentary produced by Sky on the incredible trial story that featured the former striker of Juventus, champion of Europe in 1996. From his arrest in 2006 on charges of being the financier of international drug trafficking to the very long days in prison, from the convictions in the first two levels of judgment to the appeal to the Court of Cassation up to the final acquittal on 31 January 2023 at the Court of Appeal of Turin. In an hour and twenty minutes, Padovano relived a seventeen-year nightmare. Story enriched by memories and testimonies of many characters – from Ciro Ferrara to Antonio Conte and Alessandro Del Piero – and soon also visible on Sky Sports One and streaming on Now: first appointment on January 3rd at 10.15pm and second episode on January 10th.

If you think back to those 17 years, what was the hardest moment?

“The ten days of isolation in the Cuneo prison were very tough. Ten days seem short but, when you spend them closed in a room with only a small window through which your meals are passed, I can assure you that they seem infinite. Ten days out of this world , without understanding why since I hadn’t done anything at all.”

His nightmare began in 2006. For the investigators, the loan of 35 thousand euros to his childhood friend Luca Mosole, considered to be the head of the criminal association, was fatal. Did you hear from him again after his acquittal in 2023?

“We have known each other since we were children, I have never denied our friendship over the years. We have never spoken again, it is right that now everyone goes their own way.”

Have you ever thought about giving up everything, even just for a moment, after the two blows of the first two levels of judgement?

“Never, not even for a second. I knew I hadn’t committed anything and I repeated to myself: even if it takes me my whole life, I will defend myself to the end to prove my innocence. I was an attacker as a player, but as the lawyers say: in this sad story I turned out to be my own best defender.”

In the documentary he says he spent everything he earned as a player to defend himself and support his family without being able to work.

“Yes, I sold the house in the mountains, two apartments in Turin, luxury watches, gold. I had nothing left, but I couldn’t do otherwise. I played in Serie A, Juve and Napoli, but life is expensive and when you have no income you also find yourself forced to ask friends for help.”

Is it more the friends who gave her a hand or the ones who ran away?

“It’s part of man’s nature to run away when faced with a person in difficulty. I don’t hold a grudge, also because I also had friends who gave me a hand.”

His wife Adriana talks about the importance of the phone calls she constantly received from Vialli, her captain at Juventus. Do you think back to Gianluca?

“He was my role model and idol, then I was lucky enough to play and win with him at Juventus. I’m sorry he didn’t have time to enjoy my absolution, but I’m sure he will have rejoiced in heaven. I think every day of Gianluca and I feel him close to me, like my other great friend: Berga. I named my son Denis in honor of Bergamini, my teammate in Cosenza. We will all meet again on January 13th together in front of Berga’s tomb, which is always in our hearts”.

Among those who have always been by her side is her wife Adriana.

“The true champion of this story. Adriana never talked about herself, but only about when it will all be over. She supported me and helped me get to the bottom of the nightmare. A phenomenon. She has never changed, she has remained the same as I met him as a boy. He encouraged me not to give up and even to change lawyers after the first two levels of judgement. And in the end it went well. I grew up with the legend of Vialli, but now I can say I have three idols: Gianluca and lawyers Giacomo Francini and Michele Galasso, who saved my life.”

“The scars remain and are painful, but football taught me to reset mistakes and look forward. Now I dream of a peaceful life with my wife and my son. Those seventeen years are a closed chapter. I feel I am owed credit by justice and I’m happy that something is starting to move. Football is my life and I’m happy with the opportunity that Sky has given me: I like the role of commentator and it’s rewarding.”

Return to Juventus in the future?

“It was the highest point of my career and it’s the best, it would be the best of life. But now I’m enjoying the experience at Sky.”