Inter owned midfielder Radja Nainggolan, currently on loan at Cagliari, discussed his career and the Coronavirus emergency in an interview on Instagram live yesterday. His words were noted by Italian media outlet FcInterNews.
First, the Belgian midfielder discussed how he is doing.
“Great. I’m living it peacefully, we’re waiting for new news to start playing again, I think that’s what we’re all waiting for. We’re waiting.”
The 31-year-old spoke about how he spends his days.
“Yes, we play games because being at home so much is not a habit. It’s the only outlet we have, we all laugh together, we try to kill time. Some of us clean, some of us cook.”
He also discussed other things the couple do, like listen to music or watch TV.
“Yeah, I’ve got the DJ set, we turn it on every now and then to make a bit of a mess and come up with something on these days that would otherwise all be the same. Besides play we also watch TV series, I lost track of time.”
Nainggolan touched on what kind of child he was when he was little.
“I was a child who grew up with so much difficulty, I took life as I grew up, living from day to day. Remembering where I came from. I was a hothead, now I’m better. I’m 32 years old, you grow up.”
He revealed that he was once mistaken for a terrorist whilst in Belgium.
“Yes yes, it happened in Belgium at the time of the many attacks. I was with a friend, the police stopped us but then they recognized us and took a picture. We were a group of ‘all colours’ and they thought wrong.”
The Cagliari midfielder spoke about his previous haircuts and if he’ll go back to a topknot.
“I said I wouldn’t do the topknot after I was 30, then I did it again at Inter, but after a while I took it off, I don’t think I’ll do it again. It’s hard to cut it off every time because you see all the children imitating you and you’re upset.”
Nainggolan highlighted some midfielders that he likes and admires.
“Tough question… I’ve always liked Modric, because he’s a doer, and he always does everything right. Seedorf, who was an absurd power, he was the only one who didn’t let me find the ball, I always struggled. I’ve played with a lot of strong players, Strootman was very strong before the injury, De Rossi was phenomenal, Pjanic is one of the best in terms of quality. Brozovic, who always does his best at Inter, always plays well and is doing a lot. Barella is showing he’s a great team player, at his age he’s showing a lot. There are a lot of them, but these are the ones I’m closest to because I’ve played there. With Strootman, De Rossi and Pjanic he was a great midfield player.”
He revealed that he feels a bit Sardinian, considering that he is currently experiencing his second spell with Cagliari and has a Sardinian wife.
“I always feel a bit Sardinian, which is why I came back, the year of the centenary and they made important investments even if it hasn’t gone very well lately. We’ve taken a bit of satisfaction out of it though and I think we’re thirteen games away, we’re always there, football has to be played and we’ll see. I’m very attached here, as I am attached in all the places I’ve been. I’ve remained on good terms with all the people I’ve worked with, I make myself loved even if sometimes they write that I have problems in the locker room but they’re made-up things, I don’t think I’ve ever created certain problems. I’ve never had to talk rubbish, I’ve always said what I think and I don’t see why I should make things up.”
Nainggolan spoke about the similarities and differences between Milan and New York.
“Yes, but I notice that in Italy I go into the shops, say hello to the clerks and that’s it. In the U.S. they start saying: ‘Wow, what beautiful shoes you have’. Another level of people, much more pleasant to do things there.”
He spoke about what was for dinner.
“I always eat a piece of meat with salad, because if you stop training you have to be careful what you eat.”
The Belgian midfielder discussed what he does to keep fit at home.
“Yeah, they bought us bikes. Even though every player needs a specific training, the bike is not a special training for me but we have to make do with it. The problem is that I never used to do anything at home, now I have to do it.”
Finally, Nainggolan discussed what the first thing he will do once the situation returns to normal.
“I thought you were gonna ask me when I quit! I always said I wanted to play until I was 34, but I’m hoping to play until I’m 50 now, because 24 hours at home is not for me. When this situation ends, I’m going to have a good night like I used to.”
