Juventus stint reshapes Benjamin Mokulu's eleven-year Italian journey
In the Les Diables Rouges Football section, Belgian striker Benjamin Mokulu, who will turn thirty‑seven this year, looks back on an eleven‑year odyssey in Italy, from Serie C to a brief spell with Juventus, and even recalls a surprising remark from Cristiano Ronaldo that he says still makes him smile.
Early steps in the Italian lower leagues
Mokulu arrived in Italy after leaving Belgium in 2014, initially joining Bastia where his playing time was limited. His former agent Jacques Lichtenstein then presented an offer from Avellino in Serie B, noting the club were seventh in the table and that the top eight contested promotion playoffs. Mokulu researched the club and found the prospect of reaching Serie A appealing, despite his earlier lack of interest in Serie B.
The Belgian admits he was taken aback by the passion for football in Italy, saying he fell in love with a nation he never imagined he would call home. He reflects that he never thought he would spend more than a season abroad, let alone eleven years.
During his Italian tenure Mokulu played for clubs such as Ostende, Lokeren and Malines before moving south, and at times earned six‑figure salaries in the fifth division, a figure he describes as folly alongside fashion advice from his lawyer. The piece, filed under the Juve tag, notes his imposing physique remains unchanged.
Juventus spell and the U23 rule controversy
In January 2019 Juventus approached Mokulu while he was a confirmed Serie B player. He initially declined, unwilling to drop to Serie C, but the allure of training alongside stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Paulo Dybala and Ángel Cuadrado, and being coached by Massimiliano Allegri, eventually persuaded him. He notes that the Juventus badge brings worldwide recognition.
Mokulu explains that before his arrival, U23 players over the age limit could feature provided they had not exceeded fifty Serie A appearances. Six months after signing, Juventus tightened the rule, barring any player with fifty matches in any top‑flight league, leaving him either idle for a year or forced into Serie C. He was consequently classified as a Serie C player, where he spent the following season.
Return to Sicily with Acireale
Now Mokulu has returned to Sicily, signing a one‑year deal with Acireale that includes an extension clause should the club win the championship and achieve promotion to Serie D. He adds that as long as his body holds up and his wife supports him, he will continue playing, even as he explores training activities on social media.
Mokulu still laughs about a brief encounter with Cristiano Ronaldo, recalling the Portuguese star telling him, “Hello wardrobe”. The story was edited by Jonathan Lange, editor‑in‑chief of Les Sports, who highlights the veteran’s unique insight into Italian football’s lower tiers.