Mauro Icardi speaks of being ‘already mature’, of Walter Mazzarri having the Inter he wants, and of a burgeoning understanding with Dani Osvaldo.
Mauro Icardi speaks of being ‘already mature’, of Walter Mazzarri having the Inter he wants, and of a burgeoning understanding with Dani Osvaldo.
The Argentine forward’s career of late has been known as much for his actions away from the pitch as for his work on it, with attention on his relationship with Maxi Lopez’s ex-wife Wanda Nara.
For the 21-year-old, though, settling into a family rhythm with the mother of three is important, but is not reason to suggest he has had to change his mentality.
“I do not notice what people say about me, I only listen to those who love me,” Icardi has determined in an interview today with Sky Sport 24.
“This helps me so much to be strong mentally. It is said that I think mainly about non-football issues, but in the field, even in the last year, I have always given my best, helping the team and scoring goals when I had the chance.
“Wanda? It helps me so much to have someone like her on my side, things are good in the family. And I will say that I was already mature before, not that I have become it now.”
On to Inter and Icardi is optimistic for what he sees as a new-look Nerazzurri.
“Many people believe that we will be the surprise. Gone are those who had won everything and now we are all guys, many of us new, and I think that the Coach has found what he wants with this team.
“He wants a malice in us – we have worked so hard to as to go at a thousand in every game. We want to do well because we are Inter. But I do not want comparisons with other teams like Juve or Napoli.”
It has been a summer of speculation over the forward’s future, with Inter director Piero Ausilio revealing that an offer of €25m was turned down.
“I’m glad to hear that the directors love me, I want to stay in this great team. On the €25m that was written, I just don’t know…
“I go day by day, even season to season. I am happy here and I want to do my best. Then, I cannot say that I will be at Inter for life, because maybe I will play poorly and they will decide to sell me.”
Before he leaves, though, Icardi has an opportunity to play with compatriot Dani Osvaldo.
“We have created a beautiful relationship. I did not know him, but already we joke and talk a lot together.
“Then in Iceland [in the Europa League last week] it was seen that there is already a nice dialogue between us in front of the goal.
“Gradually we will work and when we score many goals, it will be for the good of the team.”