Giuseppe Rossi Talks International Champions Cup and Returning to Play at Home

Preseason matches contain plenty of different meanings for players across the globe. For Fiorentina's Giuseppe Rossi, participating in the International Champions Cup will be special since he will get to play in New Jersey, where he was born. 

Rossi and the Viola will face Paris Saint-Germain at Red Bull Arena on July 21 to open their tournament slate before heading to Rentschler Field in Hartford to face Benfica on July 24. 

“The last time (I played in Jersey) was when I was 12," Rossi told Bleacher Report. "That’s when I left the country. This is the first time my family and friends can actually see me play at a professional level back home." 

Rossi moved to Italy at the age of 12 to join Parma's youth side before he moved to Manchester United at 17. After spells at United and Villarreal, he linked up with Fiorentina in 2013. Since he left the country to pursue his career overseas, Rossi hasn't had the chance to play in front of his friends and family, until this summer. 

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

“First time I’m playing in America since I left. This is so special for me because I’m back home playing," Rossi said. 

He also added in compliments about Red Bull Arena, where the Viola will begin their preseason slate of matches.  

“I’ve been there as a spectator once or twice and the atmosphere is awesome. It’s awesome because it’s enclosed. It feels like you’re inside an English stadium. So that’s something that I've always wanted to experience," he said. 

The competition as a whole also presents Fiorentina with a chance to expand their brand in America along with the likes of Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United and Benfica. 

“First it’s a great opportunity to help the name Fiorentina grow. What’s a better place than coming to the ICC tournament, which in the past years have been making great strides in bringing soccer to the people in the U.S.," Rossi said. 

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

"The support we’ve seen each year with this tournament has been tremendous. It’s actually been surprising. So for us, it’s an honor to be at this tournament and it’s an honor to play against great teams like Paris Saint-Germain on July 21 and Benfica on July 24," he continued. 

One thing that has helped the tournament grow over the last few years is the increased interest in the sport across the United States. The enormous amount of support for soccer is something Rossi has witnessed from afar while plying his trade in Europe. 

“It’s grown incredibly, especially in the New Jersey/New York area. I see so much support for every team that comes and plays at either Red Bull Arena, MetLife Stadium or Yankee Stadium. That shows great strides that soccer has been making in the last 10-15 years, especially in the tri-state area," the owner of 30 caps for Italy said.

"With a tournament like the ICC where you’re bringing in Fiorentina and the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona, it just interests people. You have to tip your to hat to the people at the tournament for making this possible," he said. 

As for the Fiorentina squad specifically, they will be looking to build on their fourth-place finish in Serie A under new boss Paulo Sousa. 

Jon Super/Associated Press

“We just got a new coach so that’s something where we’re gonna talk about our objectives (in the preseason). One step at a time. Paulo Sousa has a lot of experience and he knows what it takes to win. He won with Basel last year so it’s an exciting time for us," the forward said. 

"As a collective in the past three years, we’ve done tremendous work with our style of play, which has been rated one of the best in Serie A. I think we’re fun to watch. That’s what everyone says around Europe. We’re going to try and bring that fun to watch style over here to the U.S.," Rossi said of the team's style. 

As a forward, Rossi is looking toward the PSG game for a potentially enticing matchup with the Parisians' center-back pairing of Thiago Silva and David Luiz. 

Tano Pecoraro/Associated Press

“You always like to compete against the best teams and players in the world. Even if it’s the first game of the season. It's always great to compete and see what level you are at personally no matter if it’s the first friendly or in the middle of preseason. I’m always looking at the back line. PSG has Thiago Silva and David Luiz. Those are the people I would like to go against because they’re considered the best in the world." 

In addition to the two matches in the United States, the Viola will face Barcelona at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on August 2 before they make a trip to Stamford Bridge on August 5. 

“That gets closer to the season so obviously we’ll be more in shape and in tune with each other. But that doesn’t take away what we’re gonna be capable of July 21 and 24. This is something we’ve been talking about for the last couple of months since we heard we were going to be a part of the tournament," Rossi said.

"For us, this is going to be the first time for some of the players to play in America. It’s something exciting and something you always wanted to do. The Chelsea match is going to be closer to our season opener and going out and playing in a stadium like that, with fans and team of that caliber, it’s going to be a special occasion." 

All quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. 

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.