Although the relationship between the pair has long been strained, Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has claimed that the reasons for Radja Nainggolan’s World Cup omission were solely tactical.
The Inter midfielder retired from international football in the summer, such was his anger and disappointment at being left out of the Red Devils squad, one which went on to achieve a third place finish.
Despite several reports claiming that it was a personal issue with Nainggolan, whose lifestyle he didn’t agree with, the former Everton tactician has insisted that it is not the case.
“It would have been easier for me to select the most popular players but I came to Belgium with a job to do and to succeed. I don’t look at someone’s name or their past,” he told Voetbal Nieuws.
“I just look at how someone works with me in the present. That means there are difficult decisions to make but that’s why I’m here and that’s what asked of me. I have to make these calls.
“The reason that Nainggolan didn’t get selected was tactical. I couldn’t give Radja the role that he had with his club [then Roma]. If I could field 12 players, he would have been there.”
Recently, Nainggolan held firm in his international retirement when asked if he would reconsider if a different coach took over, insisting that he will not represent his country again.
