Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella believes he will still be with the Nerazzurri in 2026 when the next World Cup comes around. The 25-year-old spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the Azzurri missing this years competition in Qatar and why he has no concerns about Romelu Lukaku’s recent dip in form:
What explanation have you given yourself when looking at the league rankings?
“That a championship is won by those who are more balanced and make fewer mistakes. So far Napoli have not committed any, while we have made many… From a certain point on, however, we came together to resolve the issue all together and the results are seen.
I have a rule: there is no mention of what is happening in the locker room. However, there are times when it is beautiful, and it is also needed, to look at each other and talk to each other. Maybe blame yourself first than others. At that moment we had lost focus, we believed that it was enough to take to the pitch to win… But it’s a very long and strange tournament, with a World Cup in between, so we believe in the title. Our goal remains the same: try to win the championship.”
You have never scored so much in his career: is a different Barella being born?
“I matured, I changed a little in my game. Conte taught me to be less generous and more decisive. Before, my goal was only to give 100% for the team, but in a big player you need goals, assists…. Then with Inzaghi a gameplan was born that gives more freedom to changing positions: it brings me more in the goal area, for this reason I am finishing changes. I would say that now in football there is no longer formations, but only mobility and interpretation: in this aspect Inzaghi is very good.”
You’ve done well with Mkhitaryan and Calhanoglu in between. Isn’t there a risk that now Brozovic is in the way now?
“In front of the defense Brozo is the best in the world. There would also be Casemiro, but he interprets it differently. Nobody is like Marcelo, his place is not in question. But we have a complete midfield, with many solutions. For example, Miki is the smartest player I’ve ever played with: he can do every role well. Calha has a total view of what it means to be a midfielder.”
What of Lukaku?
“His farewell was a very hard blow (last year), even as he had arrived during the ritiro: with that group we had created a special feeling. Conte’s Inter had been created around Lukaku, then last year we built something equally beautiful in which he was not there: now it’s up to Romelu to fit into our new way of playing. We know how strong he is, how much he wants to be here, especially when he is criticized: for this I am not worried about his inclusion in the team.”
What do you think of your new goalkeeper, Onana?
“He is an internationally renowned goalkeeper, other than Handanovic who has been among the top three in the world for ten years. André is very modern, good with his feet, super responsive and with a great personality.”
What did you say to Skriniar in these days of reflection?
“I never allowed myself and I will never allow myself to give advice. Everyone makes their choices and then, at the end of their career, it will be seen whether they were right or wrong. I hope he stays, that’s obvious, because besides being incredibly strong, he is a brother. ”
Porto next – Do you think about last seasons Champions League?
“I thought for a long time about that loss to Madrid and the two rounds of disqualification: it was bad for those who looked to me. I would have given everything just to be with my teammates in the locker room in Liverpool. But that mistake forged me, I understood that on the field I have to keep the part of my fiercest character aside.”
Is there a trait of you being Sardinian that accompanies you in a particular way, in life and on the pitch?
“Well, I’m stubborn, very very stubborn in everything I do. I often show my emotions immediately: it is an excess of sincerity, perhaps because I have never liked false people, but I would like to improve on this. I would like to find a right way to be in the world, especially in this world.”
How much did it help you in maturing to be a very young father?
“I have three children at 25 because I’ve always wanted this. In addition to the pride of a dad who grows up with children, I also feel the responsibility not to disappoint them because they start to see how I behave on the pitch. For that, I don’t want to be so direct, so emotional.”
What does a European champion feel to see a World Cup from outside?
“I haven’t seen half a game yet, also because I can’t understand the feeling I feel. I am not clear-headed in the face of this enormous sorrow. They say the pitch is always right, but for me in this case it gave an unfair response. Today it was up to us, maybe one day it will be up to others: whoever wins a European Championship or an America’s Cup deserves to go to a World Cup by right.”
Now that were into the semi-finals, will you take a peek at what’s happening in Qatar?
“Maybe I’ll see something. If any of my teammates win, I will be happy as if I had won it, but I would like Brozovic to have his revenge after losing a final. ”
At the next World Cup, do you see yourself on the pitch with Italy and … as an Inter player?
“First we have to go, but yes. I see myself on the field in 2026 still as an interista.”
