'You must be one of the doubters' - Leicester City legend Jamie Vardy hits back at journalist after signing for Serie A side Cremonese

React to this story

Jamie Vardy spoke to reporters at a press conference on Wednesday ahead of his debut for Serie A side Cremonese. Vardy, who will turn 39 in January, said "age is just a number" and turned on one journalist, saying: "You must be one of the doubter". Vardy, who inspired Leicester to the Premier League title in 2015/16, could make his Cremonese debut at Hellas Verona on Monday.

‘Age is just a number’ – Vardy ready to silence ‘doubters’ after Italy move

Video credit: SNTV

Jamie Vardy insists age is just a number, as he hit back at a journalist at a Cremonese press conference on Wednesday and vowed to prove his doubters wrong again.

Former Leicester striker Vardy spoke to reporters after he was unveiled at the Serie A side.

And the 38-year-old Englishman is certainly talking a confident game as he prepares to play in the top flight of Italian football.

Transfers

Inter turn to Paz, Mourinho reveals fire sale stance - Euro Transfer News

25/06/2026 at 18:00

One reporter said: "In Italy we are a little bit sceptical about players like you that are approaching their 40th birthday."

"You must be one of the doubters," Vardy said. "You're one that I'll have to prove wrong.

"No, listen, for me age is just a number. As long as, I’ve always said, my legs are doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do then I will carry on and at the moment there are no signs of them slowing down, so I'll keep going and, like I said, I will be giving my all for this club."

Vardy was also asked about his former manager Claudio Ranieri, who he won the Premier League title under in 2015/16.

"I haven’t had the chance to speak with Ranieri yet but I know he sang my praises to the manager, so I better not let him down."

Jamie Vardy meets Cremonese fans ahead of his Serie A debut

Image credit: Getty Images

He added: "I think the thing for me personally is, throughout my career, I’ve been doubted. Always have, always will still. What I’ve always managed to do is turn that around and prove them all wrong.

"And I think speaking with the manager, there was a lot of doubt in Italy about Cremonese being able to stay in the league and with how the manager is and the passion he’s got and his work ethic, that’s not what he wants.

"I’m looking forward to the games starting to come thick and fast so I can show people exactly what I’m about.

"It's about proving the doubters wrong and making sure I’m in with the team, and we’re battling for a good 90–95 minutes because sometimes that's what it takes.

"We’ll be giving it all until the end and hopefully that will pick up enough results."

Vardy established himself as a truly iconic figure in the top flight of English football with a memorable 13 years spent at Leicester City, a club he joined from Fleetwood Town.

The highlight came when Vardy inspired Leicester to their unlikely Premier League title success of 2015/16 under Ranieri. The Foxes also won the FA Cup in 2021, with Brendan Rodgers as manager.

Now comes a new challenge for Vardy, who has talked about being convinced to join the Italian club after a long Zoom call with Cremonese coach Davide Nicola.

"Just looking in his eyes and seeing what he wanted, that really resonated with myself and I think as a footballer it's always nice to feel wanted," Vardy said.

"Having sat down with the manager and the owner, the main task is making sure we stay in the league. And if I'm honest, that's how it was when I was at Leicester."

Vardy could make his debut for Cremonese, who have won their first two league matches of the season, at Hellas Verona on Monday.

Stream the Premier League, Serie A, Men's and Women's FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+

Serie A

Amorim appointed Milan head coach in financial boost to Man Utd

16/06/2026 at 20:24

Premier League

Hojlund joins Napoli on permanent deal

03/06/2026 at 12:26

Related Matches

Hellas Verona

Cremonese