Armenia Veteran Outlines His Retirement Plan: “Will Retire After Inter Milan” | OneFootball

Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits he will call time on his playing career once his contract at Inter Milan has expired.

Interviewed by La Repubblica via FCInterNews, Mkhitaryan also admitted the team still feels upset about the Champions League final.

Despite joining Inter in the late stage of his career, Henrikh Mkhitaryan has flourished at the San Siro.

Over the past few years, he has become one of the most influential figures in the Nerazzurri locker room.

However, he is already 36, and with his contract running out next summer, his adventure at Inter is nearing its conclusion.

Though he won Serie A in 2023/24, Mkhitaryan couldn’t help the San Siro giants ascend the European throne.

Indeed, he lost two Champions League finals in three years, including a disastrous 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last month.

That was also Inter’s last game under Simone Inzaghi, who switched to Al-Hilal only days after the final.

Meanwhile, Cristian Chivu has come in to fill the void.

Inter Milan Veteran Henrikh Mkhitaryan Opens Up on His Retirement Plan

MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 08, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Mkhitaryan deemed Inter ‘unplayable’ midway through last season, but the team failed to back that up down the final stretch.

“I say what I think, without trying to please anyone – whether it’s teammates, fans, whoever,” he stated. “When others speak, I listen.

“If I speak – and I don’t do it often -it’s for the good of the team. The important thing is not to hide, to be clear, direct.

“Only that way can we help each other.”

“I didn’t say we’re always unplayable, but that we were in some matches because of the attitude we showed on the pitch,” he added. “Of course I’d say it again, I mean it.

“If someone makes fun of me for it, I don’t care. Have I decided when to quit? I said this is the most exhausting season of my life, with three competitions.

“And that I don’t know how much longer I’ll play. I’m not ruling anything out, but I know I still want to be on the field.

“I have one year left on my contract with Inter. If they don’t kick me out, I’m staying.

“I don’t want to retire with the regret of having done it too soon. After Inter, I’m done. Moreover, I don’t want to lower the level.

“I won’t go back to playing in Armenia. And destinations like Saudi Arabia don’t interest me. With all due respect, I love football for the game, not for money.

“When I wake up, I want to train and show what I’m worth.

“After football? Today I say I’d like to leave the football world—but never say never. I’ll need time to reflect and rest, with my family.”

New Management

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 21: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Chivu has just embarked on his managerial career at Inter.

After a 1-1 draw against CF Monterrey, he registered his first win at the FIFA Club World Cup.

Indeed, the Nerazzurri overturned an early deficit to claim a 2-1 win in Philadelphia.

“The philosophy and ideas are new,” Mkhitaryan continued. “The sooner we understand what he asks of us, the better.

“We immediately started with a real tournament, there’s little time. The important thing with a new coach is to accept the instructions, learn, and work.

“He’s serious and likeable. He supports us mentally and tactically. From the very first training session, his mark was evident.

“The formation is the same, but the approach is different compared to Inzaghi.”

Meanwhile, he discussed Inzaghi’s farewell.

“We said goodbye in private,” Mkhitaryan revealed. “I avoided making posts on social media. He made a decision, and we accepted it.

“That chapter is closed, another one begins.”

However, he still feels the pain of the Champions League heartache.

“The scar remains,” he admitted. “The pain doesn’t go away, it was a tough loss.

“We don’t forget the journey that brought us there – we played great games – but there’s no going back.

“We must get back up, learn, and move forward. There’s no point in thinking about it too much.

“We must work to win in the coming days, the coming weeks, and the coming years.”

Mehdi Taremi & Young Guns

LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team’s fourh goal goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on January 26, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)

Mehdi Taremi is going through a real-life drama after failing to leave Iran before Israel’s air attacks.

However, Mkhitaryan admits he remains in touch with the 32-year-old, insisting he’s doing good given the circumstances.

“Of course, he’s doing well,” he stated. “I don’t bother him too much, because many people are contacting him to know about his situation.

“It meant a lot that he wanted to wish us good luck for the Club World Cup. A great gesture.

“It hurts to think about what’s happening – let’s hope the conflict ends as soon as possible.”

Finally, he hailed Francesco Pio Esposito and Valentin Carboni.

Both youngsters have featured for Inter in the United States, with the latter scoring a winning goal against Urawa.

“They know how football works – today you score, but tomorrow everything starts from zero.

“You have to prove you’re ready – to the coach and to your teammates.

“We, the more experienced ones, try to show them how to improve. Then it depends on you – if you want to grow or not.”