Roma’s Radja Nainggolan says “if money had been my motivation, I'd have changed clubs several times”, but he’s happy in Italy.
The midfielder has been consistently linked with a move away, with Antonio Conte keen to take him to Chelsea in the summer of 2016.
“I could have gone to Chelsea, but also other teams,” Nainggolan told SportMagazine in his native Belgium.
Roma’s Radja Nainggolan says “if money had been my motivation, I'd have changed clubs several times”, but he’s happy in Italy.
The midfielder has been consistently linked with a move away, with Antonio Conte keen to take him to Chelsea in the summer of 2016.
“I could have gone to Chelsea, but also other teams,” Nainggolan told SportMagazine in his native Belgium.
“But at 28 or 29, to go somewhere else, with a new culture and a different lifestyle… there’s nothing in that for me. I prefer to stay where I’m happy
“If money had been my motivation, I'd have changed clubs several times, my wages would have gone up several times. My main motivation is living well.
“You have to be happy, and you have to be happy playing where you are. I have both things here, everything is perfectly matched.
“My family are doing well here, there are a lot of good restaurants and it’s a nice place to shop. If friends or family come to visit, you can send them anywhere.
“I’m also tied to the club, the fans are behind me. I’ve given a lot on the pitch and I get a lot of respect for that. As a footballer it’s one of the best feelings you can have.
“I grew up in Antwerp, but I became a man in Italy. As things stand now, I see myself living in Rome [when I retire] and having a second home in Antwerp.
“Francesco Totti? Totti still comes to the dressing room. I have a great relationship with him, we see things in similar ways.
“He’s someone who immediately says what he thinks, and it’s the same for me too.
“When I arrived here I looked up to him, he was God in Rome but I think I quickly made a good impression on him too.
“He doesn’t take himself too seriously, just like me. You can be serious in life, but not too serious.”
Nainggolan is a star for the Lupi, but he’s often been left out of the Belgium squad by Roberto Martinez.
“I think that, on the basis of my achievements in recent years, I deserve to be part of the selection.
“I would put myself among the two central midfielders in the 3-4-2-1. That’s my best position. But the most important thing is to get the call-up for the World Cup, I missed the last one.
“I get on well with everyone, just ask around. I am not a troublemaker, I’ve never had a problem with another player.
“On the contrary, all the other Diables Rouges come to visit me in Rome. Maybe I should try to be a little better with the national team Coach himself, although I’ve never had problems with him.
“Sometimes you have to accept that choices are made that you don’t agree with.
“There’s still one things I’m missing, and that’s to experience a World Cup, preferably this one. If I missed out I’d be very disappointed.”