Radja Nainggolan might not be as familiar of a name as Messi or Ronaldo. However, experts can still agree that he has made his mark on the football community. This Belgian professional was partially known for his talent on the pitch, and perhaps more so for his lifestyle outside the stadium.
Known as one of the top midfielders in Serie A, Roma fans were certainly sad to see him leave in favour of Inter. Still, this was not necessarily a spur-of-the-moment decision. A handful of variables came into play. To better appreciate the future of Nainggolan, it’s a good idea to see what caused him to seek life elsewhere.
Living it Up
It is no secret that Radja Nainggolan has always enjoyed the finer things in life; especially when it comes to entertainment. Now, we are not necessarily referring to his well-known passion for casino games. Plenty of players become immersed in blackjack, roulette, slots, and other other options at Jackpot City Casino. Considering the fact that other amenities such as healthy bonuses, and plenty of ongoing promotions await, it is only natural that professional footballers want to get in on the action.
We are instead referring to the hard-hitting nightlife enjoyed by Nainggolan and fellow Roma teammate Marcelo Brozovic. Both were said to have partied extremely hard; enjoying discos until the wee hours of the morning. Nainggolan himself admitted that there were times when he was not even able to recognise Brozovic after a night out on the town. Still, this is only one part of the equation.
Issues with Management
Nainggolan also stated that he failed to see “eye to eye” with Eusebio Di Francesco. Although he did not cite any type of on-pitch conflicts or problems with coaching, Nainggolan claims that Di Francesco was planning a future trade without consulting him first. He therefore felt as if his interests were not being taken seriously, and decided that Inter might offer better prospects.
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Departure from Inter Milan
Nainggolan would play for Inter Milan from 2018 to 2021. While this stint was rather short when compared to his entire career, he still racked up an important accolade. Nainggolan was the first Belgian to score a goal for Milan during the Champions League group stages. After his contract was terminated by mutual agreement in August 2021, he would enjoy stints with other clubs including Antwerp, SPAL, and Bhayangkara.
Present Status
Nainggolan’s last goal occurred on 05 March 2024, leading Bhayangkara to a 2-0 victory over the Ivory Coast Elephants. As he is currently 36 years old, some have speculated whether retirement may be just over the horizon. Nothing has been confirmed, even though the Belgian player has been a free agent for a while (at the time that this article was written).
Although his departure from Roma has been bittersweet for some fans, Nainggolan did what he felt was the right thing, and few can argue with such a mindset.
