Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has spoken ahead of Belgium’s Euro 2016 campaign, revealing that he is still upset at missing out on this summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
The 26 year old former Cagliari player was pivotal in the Roma jersey following his move in January 2014.
Speaking to VoceGialloRossa.it before Belgium host Australia in Liege on Thursday evening, Nainggolan is happy to be back with the national team but admits that the disappointment will always be remembered.
“I start back at something new. I was hoping to be back sooner but this time I’ll stay (in the squad). I have not yet digested on not being called for the World Cup.”
“Look, a player must be critical of himself, but also confident. Based on my season, I felt that I deserved to go to Brazil. But I think you look at the performance of the national team. If you don’t play, it’s hard to get it to work but I had to accept it.”
“The club doesn’t matter. When I was at Cagliari, I was there with them and with Roma I wasn’t.
“It is not easy for me at the Red Devils because I almost never played with these guys. Automatics aren’t there. In the half hour that I’m going to play, it’s not easy. My time will come.”
Nainggolan played in the “Match for Peace” in Rome on Monday with Maradona and was impressed with by the Argentine legend.
“He still has good feet, but only in a short distance. If he has to run, he’s less effective! We had some laughs because he is a nice man.”
