Vidal salutes mentor Borghi

Juventus and Chile star Arturo Vidal has praised Claudio Borghi, thanking his national team coach for nurturing him as a youth at Colo Colo.

Currently a regular starter in the Juventus midfield, the 24-year-old began his career under Argentine Borghi at Chilean giants Colo Colo as a teenager.

Vidal experienced great success in his two years in the Cacique first-team, winning three national championships with ‘El Bichi’.

Speaking on Thursday, Vidal singled out the Chile coach as the most important influence on his career so far.

“There are several trainers whom I would like to thank for how I have progressed, but I want to mention one in particular: Claudio Borghi,” he told Hurra Juventus.

“He trained me when I was a youngster at Colo Colo and he gave me my first chance to play.”

Continuing to talk about himself as a player, Vidal stated that his ‘best quality is fighting every single ball until the final whistle’, a talent which has led to early comparisons with Juve legends Edgar Davids and current coach Antonio Conte.

“They were two great players who won everything with Juventus, and who became symbols of the club. It is an honour to be compared with them,” Vidal said.

Vidal and Borghi will reunite on November 11 when Chile take on Uruguay in World Cup qualifying at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario.