Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has revealed that playing for the Giallorossi comes with much responsibility after recently celebrating his first year at the club.
The Belgian international conducted an interview in which he discussed not only how he first obtained an interest in the game, but also about his initial introduction into the Italian footballing sphere.
“When I was only five-years-old, me and my twin sister used to play football in the streets of our hometown in Belgium and it is then when my passion for football started,”he told the official Roma website.
“However I always continued to study as I didn’t want to disappoint my mother.
“And then it was in 2005 when I left Belgium and moved to Piacenza.
“I quickly realized that Italian football was a lot more difficult than I thought.”
Nainggolan remained at Piacenza for a total of four years before he took a step up the footballing ladder and moved to Cagliari.
“In 2010 I moved to Cagliari where they started to call me the ninja as I would always try my best and battle for every ball.
“That first match in Serie A gave me such a thrill!”
Lastly the 26-year-old has talked about the important things he has learnt since his arrival in Italy, as well as his most recent move to the Giallorossi.
“Over the years, I have understood the importance of respecting the coach and your team-mates.
“For this, they have always loved me at every team I have played for.
“Now I wear the shirt of Roma which is a great responsibility and I still bring my honest and committed nature to the pitch.
“Because of this, the fans sing my name and it fills me with so much emotion.”
The midfielder has made 19 appearances for the Lupi this season, scoring three times.
