Midfielder Nicolo Barella credits his coach Simone Inzaghi and his Inter Milan teammates for helping him make the Ballon D’Or shortlist.
Speaking in a press conference whilst with the Italian national team, as reported by FCInterNews, Barella gave his thoughts in reaction to being nominated for football’s top individual honour.
Barella was one of two players who made FIFA’s thirty-player shortlist for the Ballon D’Or.
The 26-year-old, along with Nerazzurri teammate Lautaro Martinez, are among the players in the running for the biggest individual honour in world football.
This follows a season in which Inter Milan had a shaky Serie A campaign, but reached the Champions League final. Barella was a key part of Inter’s run to the final.
Therefore, the Italian international showed that he can be a genuinely top-class player in the Nerazzurri’s engine room. And he can do it on the biggest stage.
The Ballon D’Or nomination is of course a recognition of Barella’s massive individual talent.
But as he points out, the former Cagliari midfielder would hardly be in this position without his teammates and coach giving him a platform on which to shine.
Nicolo Barella Credits Inzaghi & Inter For His Ballon D’Or Nomination
“Thanks to my teammates. For my being nominated for the Ballon d’Or. Last season was a great one,” he continued.
“Even if we lost the Champions League final.
“I owe the fact that I made the shortlist to all my teammates, and to Inzaghi,” the 26-year-old said.
“Thanks to all of Inter.”
Last season, Barella made a total of 52 appearances for Inter in all competitions. The 26-year-old scored nine goals in the process, his best goalscoring season in an Inter shirt.
Barella started in every one of the Nerazzurri’s knockout matches in the Champions League, including the final against Manchester City.
