Departing captain Samir Handanovic has given his goodbye message to Inter Milan fans.
The 38-year-old took to Instagram to give his thoughts as he ends an eleven-year tenure in a Nerazzurri shirt, noting his pride and the feeling that the club will be a part of him forever.
It’s official – Handanovic is no longer an Inter player.
The Slovenian departs after not extending his contract, which ran out at the end of last month.
Handanovic joined Inter from Udinese in the summer of 2012.
Having already built up a strong reputation for himself in Serie A across his six seasons with the Friulani, the Slovenian arrived as the long-term successor for Julio Cesar between the posts.
As it turns out, Handanovic would indeed inherit the mantle from Cesar, staying first-choice keeper for a decade.
The 38-year-old has a lasting legacy with the Nerazzurri.
Across his eleven seasons in an Inter shirt, Handanovic made a total of 455 appearances for the club.
In February of 2019, Handanovic became Inter’s club captain. The veteran goalkeeper took the armband from striker Mauro Icardi.
Handanovic has been Inter’s club captain ever since then, and departs having held the role until the end of his time at the club.
Samir Handanovic Says Goodbye To Inter Milan: “Leaving Has A Bitter Taste, But I’m Proud”
All things must end eventually, however, and Handanovic is no longer a Nerazzurri player.
On the occasion of his departure, the 38-year-old writes that “After eleven years I don’t know if I can describe it all…”
“But I’ll try, because there’s a bitter taste and I’m sad, but at the same time I’m happy that I made a dream come true for such a long time.”
“I’ll miss Inter, the San Siro, the fans, and the thrill that I get when the whole stadium is urging us on.”
“You learn something from them, they leave their mark,” he reflects on playing in front of the San Siro. “They show you what passion and courage mean and why you have to sacrifice every day if you want to feel certain things.”
Handanovic looks back upon “So many battles, challenges won and challenges lost, disappointments and joys.”
“To me, being yourself matters more than anything in our world (football) which is fully of hypocrites. I always tried to be a man of football.”
“I thank you all,” the departing captain writes. “My teammates over many years in Nerazzurri colours, coaches, staff, doctors, physiotherapists, everyone working behind the scenes, Presidents and club directors over all these years that have seen so much change.”
“I’m thankful for everyone, how we responded to both victories and defeats.”
“I experienced all these years with a sense of belonging that was so strong that I could have never imagined it.”
Handanovic continues that “I want to give a special thank you to the Curva Nord.”
“In addition to the love for these colours, they blessed us with a direct, practical, honest, and coherent way of looking at football, which is not about words and chatter.”
“Their attitude was important. I’ve always had an awareness of when to accept criticism and judgment, when it deserves respect.”
“I feel so proud to have worn these colours and this armband. It’s been a privilege that I’ve tried to always respond to by giving my best.”
Handanovic then hints at his future, writing that “I’ll try to play a few more years still. But I’ll always go forward with US as a part of me.”
“Thank you.”
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