What were the most beautiful messages you received after going to Inter?
“There were many but there were also some messages that I expected but did not come. From those I will not say. The most beautiful ones are from Conti, Deiola and Ceppitelli.”
If and when all the bonuses are activated, you could become the most expensive player in the history of Inter.
“In the past, you had players that were worth more than me proportionally, like for example Vieri of 20 years ago. For me, paying that kind of money to sign me is a great stimulus to always do better.”
What does it say about your career now that you are here at Inter?
“I think I did very well at the Rossoblu to win a spot in the national team, it was such an honor. Now, a new chapter in my sporting life begins: Inter convinced me with a serious and ambitious project. I too am ambitious. The Nerazzurri were always my first choice, this is the ideal club for me to work and improve.”
You said that you are ambitious. What kind of objective do you have?
“Conte is a winner and everyone wants to win here. Logically, we want to do better than last season but when we have a coach like him, the objective is to win.”
Juventus remain Scudetto favorite.
“It’s a great team and they are an important organization. But they will not have an easy time because they have a new coach who will bring new ideas compared to the past. We will keep up with them.”
Do you like the project that Inter have to become more Italian?
“This is the choice of the club and so it’s not for me to say. But the more Italian this team is, the better. Stefano and I just got here, but there are also Politano, Gagliardini, Ranocchia, D’Ambrosio. They have given me a nice hand to settle well here.”
When there is no Brozovic, the Inter midfield could be that of the Italian national team with Gagliardini, Sensi and Barella?
“Yes, that could happen even though there are also Verratti and Jorginho. The three of us have known each other for a long time and we are well together. But Brozo is important for the team and his absence would be dearly missed.”
Your idol is Stankovic. Why?
“Because I have always tried to play like him in the way that on the pitch there is no such thing as friendly and you always go hard, without saving yourselves. Stankovic then added to these values a great shot from outside the box, something I always envy.”
Is it true that there are many Interisti in your family?
“It’s something that has been highly discussed. Some of my cousins and uncles are Interisti but my father roots for Cagliari. But now he will also root for Inter and will continue following the Rossoblu.”
Why did you choose the number 24 shirt?
“I still don’t know if that will be my shirt number. I took it because it was the day that my first daughter, Rebecca, was born. The other, Lavinia, was born on the 18, the number that I had in Cagliari and the national team.”
Why did you have the number 18 in Sardinia?
“The president gave it to me and I was convinced that it would bring me good luck. I listened and luckily he wasn’t wrong.”
In these years in Serie A, you have learned on how to improve your abilities and to score more. What is the next step for you?
“To score even more goals because last year I only got one but I struck the posts five times. I was a bit unlucky. I hope that not only I can help Inter by doing a lot of running but also my goals.”
You arrived at Inter in the summer that Nainggolan is now not in the club’s project.
“With Radja, we share the same agent but he is also my friend. We are from the same city because he adapted Cagliari to be his own. And we often visit it. I love him.”
How important is the Italian national team shirt for your maturation?
“It’s very important and it’s an honor for me. I am happy for the trust that Mancini has given me, allowing me to play next to Jorginho and Verrati. Both of them help me tremendously to get better, to be ready for Inter. Playing next to two champions makes me understand how to play at high level.”
You played at home for the U-21 European Championship. What went wrong?
“The lack of qualification for the semifinals and therefore the Olympics was double regret because we could have done better. On the last day, we were not in charge of our own destiny and that at that point, it was normal for two teams to go through after a draw. Regardless of the elimination, there are great players in Italy.”
What is Barella off the pitch? Those who are around you know that you have passion for NBA and your dog Lebron?
“Why do you think I called him that? I am a Lebron fan and I’m crazy for him.”
Your other passion is tattoos?
“I have 10: the most important are the face of my wife, the first picture with my daughter. Then we have one with my parents and one for my dog. Now I will get one for my other daughter, Lavinia.”
Do you have place to tattoo a trophy?
“I have my whole body. The only football related tattoo that I have right now is the bicycle kick goal for Italy.”
Have you found a home in Milan?
“I’m still looking. By the way, if someone wants to help me…”
and he also understands nothing about calcio tbh, he thinks to know things better then others. Like when he says that Juve wanted Icardi only because wanda said it.. he keeps talking only trash every video, so annoying
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