Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella wants to make a significant impact at the Nerazzurri over a long period with the club, with his inspiration legendary former midfielder Dejan Stankovic.
Speaking on the club’s official Instagram account, the 24-year-old spoke of wanting to make a lasting impression, and also gave his thoughts on his friendship with Inter teammate Marcelo Brozovic.
Barella joined the Nerazzurri from Cagliari in the summer of 2019 Cagliari, but already in just over two years he has made a significant impression playing for the club.
The 24-year-old has now won the Scudetto playing for the Nerazzurri, in addition to establishing a role for himself in the Italian national side with whom he won the Euros over the summer.
Barella wants to go much further than this with the club, however, and contribute many seasons, modelling his ambitions after current Red Star Belgrade coach Dejan Stankovic, who played nine seasons and made over three hundred appearances for the Nerazzurri before retiring from playing.
On his best goal scored for Inter he singled out, “I think the one against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia because it was the most difficult in terms of coordination. I’m happy that the ball went to the corner.”
On the joking “Bare, where are you?” joke that his teammate Marcelo Brozovic makes, he stated, “As I always reply to Brozo, I’m here. It’s just that he doesn’t leave me alone.”
On his favourite music Barella stated, “I listen to a bit of rap, especially Italian. And then, since I am the father of three girls, I also listen to children’s songs.”
On his friendship with Brozovic he stated, “It was a natural friendship, we are two quite direct and sincere people. And so we like to be together, joke and have fun.”
Asked his favourite NBA player besides LeBron James he responded, “Eh, besides LeBron my favourite player is Carmelo Anthony. I like his elegance and his shot.”
For his favourite movie, he explained, “More than a film, a tv series, the first I followed continuously: Vikings.”
Regarding his choice of shirt number Barella stated, “I’ve always had 18, when I arrived at Inter there was Asamoah and so I had to turn to another number and I chose 23 because it is the number of my idol, LeBron James.”
Lastly, he paid tribute to Stankovic, stating that “One of my idols was Dejan Stankovic, I always liked him as a player. I’ve always tried to take the best from him and try to do well as he did with Inter.”
