NINJA, THE NEW BEGINNING
The new beginning of Ninja is a blend of emotions and words. Welcome greetings on one side, farewell greetings on the other. In the middle, there is also a message from captain Mauro Icardi who welcomes him to the team. Radja Nainggolan has been an Inter player since yesterday when he completed the transfer from Roma. The club of Suning officially confirmed his signature until June 30, 2022 and then there was also Roma which confirmed the deal was for 38 million euros. The contract indicates that in case of an outright sale in the future, Roma will have 10% of the transfer fee, up to a maximum of two million euros. Radja will be officially presented tomorrow in the center of Milan, this is the city that Ninja has chosen to live. Yesterday he saw a couple of houses, even in the San Siro area where many of his new teammates leave, then in the evening, he had dinner in a restaurant near the Central Station.*
Besides a new house, another important decision will be for a new shirt number. In the last eight seasons, 4 was his number of choice with the exception of 44 in the first few months at Roma. Radja, who was born on May 4th, cannot get these numbers: the first is retired in the honor of Zanetti, the second belongs to Perisic. At PIacenza, it was 21 and 23, in Cagliari it was 28, with Belgium, the numbers were a bit varied (6, 16 and 18). At Inter, he could pick 22, playing on the sum of first and second digit.
Ciao Inter - Words and greetings: Radja explained the reason for his arrival in Milan. “Director Ausilio, coach and Zanetti called me. They made me feel important and so my choice was simple. I am fired up for this new adventure. Spalletti? My best season was with him and I hope that I can repeat it here. I am at his disposal and happy to see him again.” Then a message to the fans: “I did not expect such warm welcome, I am happy. Now it will be up to me to turn it into even more applause. The affection of the fans is an important feeling for any player, it means that the city is enthusiastic and I am too.*I hope together we can take away so much satisfaction. We can do well in the league and also in the Champions League because Inter have an important history and must be a protagonist in Europe.”
From Maurito to Rome - In Milan, Nainggolan was also welcomed by Mauro Icardi who “blessed” his arrival on Instagram. “Welcome Ninja. There will be no more fighting against each other. Starting today, we will fight together.” In Rome, on the other hand, there was the goodbye from Monchi. “We made a choice, this is job of a sporting director. I understand that some people get it and others do not. An offer came, we listened, negotiated and found agreement. It is my job.” What about Rajda? Again on Instagram, he said goodbye to the capital city and now his former fans: “Everything I did, I did it giving my best and with my heart. Unfortunately, fairy tales end and not always just for their own choice. A beautiful story closes but it will remain in my heart. I thank all my former teammates, coaches and directors. I also thank the fans with much love and I will remember every single moment that we lived together. It is the beginning of a new adventure and I am happy. I will give my best as I always have. I will miss you.”
Tears for Giallorossi, fire for Nerazzurri.