It was June 26, 2018: the deal also involved Davide Santon and Nicolò Zaniolo who moved to the Giallorossi
Mattia Mortarotti – 26 Jun 2.38pm
Exactly six years ago Radja Nainggolan left Roma to join Inter. The Belgian midfielder was strongly desired by Luciano Spalletti, then Nerazzurri coach, to strengthen the midfield with a view to qualifying for the Champions League. It was June 26, 2018 and thedeal was concluded on the basis of 38 million.
They were also involved in the operation David Santon And Nicolò Zaniolo who did the reverse route. That of the “Ninja” was a painful transfer for the Giallorossi fans who had found him to be one of the technical and character leaders of the team. Arriving as a good prospect from Cagliari in 2014, the Belgian’s performance grew exponentially until he became a real cornerstone of the team.
Nainggolan, over two hundred appearances for Roma (VIDEO)
The love story between Nainggolan and the Giallorossi fans blossomed immediately and lasted for all the 203 appearances with 33 goals and 28 assistsIt was under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti that the Belgian became a complete player, being exploited in the position of attacking midfielder with insertion license.
It reached its peak in the season 2016/2017 when in the league in In 37 games played he scored 11 goals becomingIn fact, he is the real driving force behind the team. His sensational performance was certainly the one at San Siro against Inter on 26 February where the number 4 scored two goalsone more beautiful than the other, in the 3-1 victory of the Giallorossi.
In the Nerazzurri, however, he couldn’t repeat himself as in Giallorossi for different dynamics. Spalletti tried to make him the central point of the team right away but his experience in Milan only lasted a year. The following year he returned to Cagliari to stay there, in fact, for two seasons if we exclude a temporary return to Pinetina.
From there the career of one of the strongest midfielders who have been appreciated in Serie A in the last 10 years began to decline, going fromAntwerp at the Spalwhere he failed to make an impact, to now end in Indonesia. But the Roman fans still have in their eyes his incursions, his sliding recoveries, his goals and his determination. One thing is certain: the best Radja Nainggolan was seen in the yellow and red.
