In an interview with radio host Matteo Caccia, Inter Milan and Italian national team midfielder Nicolò Barella opened up about his personal life, career, and passion for football.
Barella expressed his desire to connect more with fans, saying, “I don’t post much on social media, but I’d like to share more about myself because I might seem distant to fans. I want to explain better who I am.”
On fatherhood, Barella shared, “I love everything about being a father. It’s a choice I made when I was young. I grew up in a large family, and everyone became parents. When I met Federica, my wife, I decided to start a family because I’ve always wanted it. I hope to be a good father, present, and participate in their lives.”
Reflecting on his early days in football, Barella said, “Football remains a passion because it’s a game before it’s a job. There are unpleasant things in this world, like criticism, especially on social media. This becomes a mental challenge, maybe bringing bad moods home. As a child, I didn’t think there would be so many facets to a footballer’s life.”
Barella acknowledged his growth as a person and player: “I’ve changed a lot. I used to like ‘wars’, arguing, things that weren’t good for me or those around me. Now I’m much more serene, even in interpreting matches. Being with my children has taught me that there are bigger problems.”
On reaching the Champions League final, Barella shared, “It’s tiring because, regardless of everything, it remains our stage, the moment to prove that I’m strong, that Inter and the National team are strong. It’s hard to say football is just a game in those moments.”
Barella also spoke about his awareness of his own strength: “I don’t care if someone tells me ‘you’re the best’, it doesn’t affect me. What makes me proud is when an opponent makes me understand that I’m strong; my teammates make me feel like a god, but there’s also friendship influencing that.”
Regarding the Scudetto derby against Milan, Barella showed empathy for the losing side: “I felt compelled to shake their hands because I know what it means. I’ve lost finals, been relegated, lost Champions League and Europa League finals. I know what it means to lose.”
Barella concluded by reflecting on his journey: “For me, Cagliari is in my blood, but Inter has entered my heart and my life. I had many opportunities to leave Cagliari, more than a couple, they were important teams that I’ll never name. Many of my choices were dictated by the fact that I couldn’t go to certain teams because of rivalry between fan bases.”
