Inter Milan & Netherlands Star Admits: ‘Playing Football As A Kid, I Didn’t Want To Shake Hands After A Loss’

Inter Milan wingback Denzel Dumfries admits that when he was growing up, he would get very competitive about football.

Speaking on the Dutch national team’s official social media account, via FCInterNews, the 27-year-old recalled his formative years in the sport.

Dumfries has now been an Inter player for three years.

The Dutchman joined the Nerazzurri from PSV during the summer of 2021.

Joining Inter represented perhaps the single most important step in Dumfries’s growth in the game.

The Dutchman had impressed with PSV, and become a regular for his national team. But the Nerazzurri gave him the chance to shine playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs.

Dumfries needed a few months to settle in and really find his feet when he joined Inter.

But Dumfries has grown into the Nerazzurri team.

Denzel Dumfries: ‘I Didn’t Want To Shake Hands After A Loss’

Now, Dumfries has played in a Champions League final with Inter.

The 27-year-old also looks to be right on the verge of winning the Serie A title with the Nerazzurri this season.

Dumfries can add that to a trophy cabinet that already contains two Coppa Italia and three Supercoppa Italiana titles with the Nerazzurri.

That is in addition to the role that Dumfries has for the Netherlands.

The Inter man has been a key player for the Oranje at both the last Euros and at the World Cup. He will be hoping to do something similar at the upcoming Euros this summer.

Dumfries looked back on his amateur days, saying that “I’m still very grateful for that experience.”

“Now, I play for the Netherlands and for Inter,” he noted.

“I’m taking part in the Euros and the World Cup. Of course, it’s a great experience.”

“But back then, the world was beautiful. Having fun with your friends – really, that’s the most important thing in football.”

“That’s why I’m very grateful for my amateur days at Smitshoek,” Dumfries said.

“It really shaped me. Football, friendship, and memories that will last a lifetime.”

Dumfries looked back on the kind of player he was in his amateur days. “I was very motivated,” the Dutchman said.

“Sometimes a bit too much.”

“Because I used to get so angry after a loss, I didn’t want to shake hands,” Dumfries admitted.

“But my father made me get that out of my system very quickly.”