Virtus: Pajola’s Long Letter to the Fans: “I Don’t Have to Justify Myself to Anyone”
Alessandro Pajola has left Virtus Bologna after 11 years: on Instagram, the point guard posted a long letter addressed to the fans and the Virtus community. “In recent weeks and months, I’ve read all sorts of things about myself. The accounts that have been shared do not at all reflect the reality of what happened. I’ve thought long and hard about this, and I don’t feel I need to justify myself to anyone, because my actions have always demonstrated and defined the person and athlete that I am. I’m a completely normal guy, deeply in love with basketball. All I’ve ever wanted to do is play basketball, and I’ll continue to do so as long as I have the chance.”
“My family, my partner, my closest friends, and above all, Virtus (as an organization) know who I am and how things really went down. For me, this is the only thing that matters, along with the ability to walk with my head held high and a clear conscience. In every circumstance, I’ve always tried to keep my feet on the ground, working with dedication, professionalism, and respect toward every person and every situation. I’ve faced difficulties by gritting my teeth during the toughest moments, never backing down, giving it my all, and—above all—always putting the good of the team and the group first.”
“I believe that respect must be the foundation of every relationship. In recent weeks, this respect has been lacking toward me. Having said that, I want to thank those who made this long journey special. First and foremost, I want to extend a special thank you to all the fans who stood by me every step of the way. To those who believed in me from the very first day I set foot at Virtus, to those who supported me during the good times and victories, but especially during the difficult times. Your support on and off the court has made this long journey unique and unforgettable. I will be eternally grateful to all the people who cheered my name—you have been an incredible source of strength for me. I would like to thank all the coaches I’ve had throughout my career. Each of you has left an important mark on my technical, tactical, and mental development. You gave me the chance to improve day by day and helped me become the player I am today.”
“A special thanks also goes to the entire medical staff for their professionalism, helpfulness, and care. Your daily work, often away from the spotlight, has been essential in ensuring I’m always in top physical condition for training sessions and matches. A special thank you also for all the hours we spent together during therapy and recovery sessions, which you made easier by sharing so many laughs. Thank you to all the women and men who work in the offices. You, too, have been essential in your behind-the-scenes work, and with many of you I’ve formed friendships that I’ll always cherish. A special thank you goes to all my teammates. Thank you for sharing every practice, every game, every sacrifice, and every emotion with me. Each of you has contributed to my growth, both as an athlete and as a person. I’ll carry with me the memories, the battles fought on the court, the victories, the disappointments, and all the moments we shared both inside and outside the locker room.”
“Out of the respect I mentioned earlier and the values my parents taught me, I’d like to thank Mr. Massimo Zanetti for these years we’ve shared together and for the investments that have allowed Virtus to return to the highest levels, where it deserves to be. Finally, I’d like to dedicate a thought to Alberto Bucci. He believed in me from the very first day he saw me and taught me to put Virtus’s best interests before my own, just as he did. In Bologna, I built much more than a sports career: I built a fundamental part of my life, as a man even before I was an athlete. I’ve forged bonds that I’ll carry with me forever. For this reason, I thank everyone once again from the bottom of my heart, and I will always cherish this journey within me with great affection and emotion. I love you all.”
