Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella discussed football, his passion for it and where it was born in an interview with Inter sponsor Pirelli. His words were noted by Italian media outlet FcInterNews.
First, the 23-year-old Italian touched on where his passion for football started.
“My father gave it to me. We always watched the matches together, but I have to say that my mother played a fundamental role because she allowed me to cultivate my passion, taking me to training sessions and the stadium.”
He discussed which club he supports.
“Like everyone who was born and raised in Cagliari, it’s almost obvious to cheer for our city’s team. There’s a sense of belonging that wins every time.”
The Nerazzurri midfielder then touched on the early years of his career.
“I started very young, at the age of three and a half, in Cagliari, at the Gigi Riva Football School, where education and social aspects are as important as the game of football itself. I played there until the age of nine when I was promoted to Cagliari.”
Barella revealed who his idol was when he was younger.
“My idol has always been Dejan Stankovic because of the way he played and played games. In addition to talent, he always put passion and dedication on the pitch. For him, it was never over until the last moment.”
The Italian midfielder discussed his visits to the stadium to watch games.
“I started watching the games with both my parents. Then as soon as I grew up, I started going with my friends as long as my football schedule allowed me.”
He revealed that his footballing schedule stopped him from watching the away games in person.
“No, never because I played every weekend and skipping a game was just impossible.”
The Italy international also revealed that he never asked a player for an autograph.
“I’ve always been very shy and asking someone for an autograph bothered me. Because I was shy and didn’t want to bother, I never asked anyone for an autograph.”
Finally, Barella discussed which game he remembers the most.
“The meeting between Cagliari and Napoli, 2-1. It was a wonderful match because Napoli were winning, thanks to a goal scored by Hamsik at the start of the second half. But in injury time, when we were about to lose, Matri scored in the 93rd minute and then Conti in the 94th minute overturned the result. That year the Scudetto was won by Mourinho’s Inter, while Cagliari was saved by finishing sixteenth.”
Barella, who is contracted to the Nerazzurri until 2024, has made 23 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 1644 minutes. In that time, he has scored three goals and provided six assists, being a core part of coach Antonio Conte’s midfield.
