Matias Vecino has revealed the secret behind his successful return from injury at Inter.
The Uruguay midfielder spent eight months on the side-lines after undergoing knee surgery last summer, eventually making his first-team return in a 2-1 win at Torino last month.
Antonio Conte then gave Vecino another cameo at Bologna last weekend, before bringing him on for 20 minutes against Sassuolo on Wednesday.
In an interview for Inter’s matchday programme ahead of Sunday’s game with Cagliari, the 29-year-old said: “It’s not been an easy period while I’ve been out.
“You suffer a lot, but the important thing is to stay patient, always work hard and wait for the right moment.
“My family are helping me to keep going.”
Moving away from current matters, Vecino was asked to pick a footballing idol and wisely chose a former Inter midfielder.
“Juan Sebastian Veron is my hero,” he said.
“I’ve always liked him, he was a role model for me.
“It’s not easy in the slightest to become a player like him but I’ve always admired him.”
On his interests outside of football, the midfielder added: “Football will always be my biggest passion, but when I’m not training I like playing table tennis and watching films and TV series.”
Asked for one of his footballing heroes as a child, Vecino revealed: “The first shirt I bought was David Beckham, my Mum got me the no. 7 at Manchester United.”
Vecino is in contention to replace the suspended Nicolo Barella for Sunday’s match at home to Cagliari.
One report this morning said he was favourite to get the nod ahead of Roberto Gagliardini.
