Former Roma and Inter midfielder Radja Nainggolan gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the Roma-Inter match. He stated that his heart still belongs to Roma, and his transfer from Roma to Inter was Monchi's decision, adding that Monchi was "duplicitous" toward him at the time. When asked about his subsequent exclusion from Conte's plans, he suggested that Conte may still be upset about his earlier refusal to join Chelsea.

The Roma-Inter match is here. How do you feel right now?

I feel like for a match of this caliber, I still very much want to play. And perhaps I still could.

What do you mean?

I mean that from a rules and gameplay perspective, football is becoming easier. I'm still in excellent physical condition, and I really want to be part of matches like this. I went to Stadio Olimpico to watch Roma play Fiorentina, and damn it, I really wanted to put on my boots and get on the pitch.

Could Nainggolan at his peak have played for today's Roma and Inter teams?

Honestly, I think absolutely. Playing as an attacking midfielder or central midfielder, I believe I could have found my place.

What kind of match do you expect?

It will be an exciting and very difficult match, as both teams love to attack. Inter are still stronger; in terms of squad quality, they have no equals in Italy. However, under De Rossi, Roma have found stability and developed their own team characteristics. I hope Roma won't buckle under pressure on such a difficult night, because anything can happen. Dybala could be the decisive player in this match.

You hope that because you support Roma...

That's natural, because I left my heart at Roma. Of course, I fully respect Inter, but Roma was the place where I could show my best side. If it were up to me, I would never have left.

In summer 2018 you were sold to Inter.

It was a decision by sporting director Monchi, who was duplicitous toward me at the time. On one hand, he was asking for my input on how the team should operate in the transfer market, and on the other hand, he was simultaneously negotiating my sale. To some extent, I can understand his logic. He wanted to dismantle the team built by Walter Sabatini and then build his own. He used the same approach with Dzeko, whom he was trying to sell to Chelsea at the time.

But we had just played Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. We were a strong team, and all of us felt the squad still had potential to improve. But then...

Then Spalletti brought you to Inter.

I have to thank him, because under his management I wrote some of the brightest chapters of my career. Unfortunately, after my first season at Inter, things didn't go as well.

Perhaps you had already lost motivation when you arrived in Milan.

Perhaps. But more importantly, I paid the price for Spalletti's departure. Conte told me straight away that I was not in his plans. Unlike Monchi, Antonio was very direct with me, and I respected his judgment.

However, three years ago Conte met you at a hotel in Parioli, hoping you would join Chelsea.

Who knows, maybe the fire in his heart never went out after I turned him down back then... And I wasn't just turning him down. To stay at Roma, I even rejected a huge offer from China at the time.

Have you ever considered that your more "hedonistic" lifestyle might have influenced some top coaches' opinions of you?

I've always been the same person. I was like this at 20, at 30, and I still am at nearly 40. I'm very happy with my life. I don't feel the need to apologize for it, because whenever I'm on the pitch, I always give everything. Many times, even when injured, I still played...

Some people said you could cause chaos in the dressing room.

That's not true. All my teammates and all the coaches I've worked with can confirm that. I've never had problems with anyone.

Do you regret anything?

Very little. If anything, I regret not winning a trophy with Roma. Unfortunately, we faced an unbeatable Juventus back then, and every summer we had to sell our best players to balance the club's finances.

Do you still enjoy playing in Belgium?

During matches, yes, because I run more than many young players. And I also enjoy playing the role of big brother, mentoring young players. I'll say it again, I can still play at a high level. As for training, I don't enjoy it as much. Actually, I don't enjoy it at all.

A few months ago you were involved in a drug trafficking incident.

But I did nothing; I'm innocent, and the case is closed.

What will you do when you don't have the stamina to chase those fullbacks anymore?

I haven't thought about it. I just want to enjoy this moment now.

How do you think the football world will remember you?

I'll be remembered as a genuine person, unlike many fake people in this world. Whether good or bad, I can always look at myself in the mirror with a clear conscience.

Переведено ИИ.

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