Former Inter midfielder Radja Nainggolan has said that he was never given a chance by Antonio Conte and that he does not see the Scudetto as his, according to a report in the Italian media today.
Speaking during a revealing interview with La Repubblica today, the Belgian midfielder who now plays his football for Antwerp explained that because he spent the majority if the season on loan at Cagliari he does not view the Scudetto as being his.
“I don’t count it. For me, winning a Scudetto only counts if you win it as a protagonist.”
He went on to explain that when he arrived at Inter he was happy but he was sadder about having to leave Rome.
“As soon as I arrived I said that I was happy but that the disappointment of having left Rome was stronger. And I had not started well. After the missed penalty against Lazio in the Italian Cup they started to whistle, I got doubts, my confidence collapsed.”
he then revealed that whilst he has respect for Antonio Conte as a coach, he was never given a chance by the Italian to be a key player in the team.
“If I had had faith I could have easily played more in that team. Conte is a great coach, but I had no chance with him. We never fought when they wanted to send me away.”
Radja Nainggolan is often moe known for his drinking and smoking off the pitch rather than his evident quality on it but it is clear that he has a different viewpoint on that.
“If one is late, drinks, smokes a cigarette, in my eyes, he does not do wrong. Then the Nainggolan on the pitch made it easy to accept everything: I never worried about what people said, many are hiding instead.
“It’s all because I go out, you see me in the clubs. Some people drink more than me but they do it at home and nobody knows about it.”