Nerazzurri Midfielder Nicolo Barella: “I Plan To Be At Inter A Long Time, Milan Skriniar Will Make His Own Decision” | OneFootball

Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella has no doubt that he plans to be at Inter for a long time into the future.

Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the 25-year-old also made clear that he cannot be the one to decide whether defender Milan Skriniar stays and extends his contract or not.

Barella joined Inter from Cagliari in the summer of 2019.

In the time that has passed since, the midfielder has become a key part of this Nerazzurri project not just on the pitch, but also for the leadership that he brings.

Barella has hardly lacked transfer interest from some of Europe’s top clubs since joining Inter.

Even before he had joined the Nerazzurri, there had been other clubs keen on signing the 25-year-old.

However, as far as Barella is concerned, he would like to remain at Inter into the future.

Asked about whether he thinks he’ll be at the World Cup with Italy in 2026 and also still an Inter player, Barella replied that “We’ll have to get their first, but I see myself as still being an Interista in 2026.”

Of the team’s early stumbles in the Serie A title race, Barella noted that “The title is won by the team who are most balanced and make the fewest mistakes.”

“So far, Napoli haven’t made any,” he continued, “while we have made several.”

“After a certain point, we all came together to discuss what our issues were, and that became visible in the results,” Barella noted.

Asked what he thought about the return of Marcelo Brozovic given how well Inter’s midfield had been functioning whilst the Croat was out injured, Barella replied unequivocally that “In front of the defence, Brozo is the best in the world.”

“Casemiro is also up there, but he interprets the role in a different way.”

“Nobody plays like Marcelo, his place in the team is not in question.”

“But we have a complete midfield, with numerous solutions.”

“For example, Micki is the most intelligent player I’ve ever played with,” Barella praised his teammate, “he plays every position well.”

“Calha has a total vision of what it means to be a midfielder,” he added.

Of the situation of Skriniar, yet to extend his Inter contract, Barella said that “I’ve never allowed myself and will never allow myself to give advice like that.”

“Everyone makes their own choices, and then, at the end of their career, we’ll see if they were right or wrong.”

“I hope he stays, that much is obvious, because in addition to being a top player, he’s like a brother to me.”

Of the return of Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea this season, Barella said that “In the meantime, his farewell was a very difficult blow for us, particularly given that it came whilst we were in the preseason training camp.”

“We had created a special feeling within that group.”

“Conte’s Inter had been built around Lukaku, then last season we built something just as good without him,” he noted.

“Now it’s Romelu’s turn to fit into our new style of play.”

“We know how good he is, how hungry he is, especially when he’s criticized,” Barella added, “that’s why I’m not worried about him fitting back into the team.”