Inter defender Juan Jesus is keeping his future options open at both club and international level. “I could play for Italy.”
The Brazilian centre-back has dropped down the pecking order at San Siro this season, fuelling reports of a move to Watford or Besiktas.
“There has always been a lot of transfer interest around me and every session there are lots of stories in the Press, but I have to leave this to the club and my agent. When it’s time to decide, I’ll see what is best for me and my family,” he told GloboEsporte.
Inter defender Juan Jesus is keeping his future options open at both club and international level. “I could play for Italy.”
The Brazilian centre-back has dropped down the pecking order at San Siro this season, fuelling reports of a move to Watford or Besiktas.
“There has always been a lot of transfer interest around me and every session there are lots of stories in the Press, but I have to leave this to the club and my agent. When it’s time to decide, I’ll see what is best for me and my family,” he told GloboEsporte.
Although he has played for Brazil at youth level, Juan Jesus is still without a senior cap.
“If a call came, obviously I’d be happy, but I also have the opportunity to become an Italian citizen and play for Italy. That’s for the future. I am Brazilian and have to focus on myself and not be hypocritical.
“Naturally my preference is for Brazil, but I have many friends in Italy and identify with Italy a great deal too. I speak Italian a lot, in training, with people in the street. I only speak my mother tongue with my wife and the Brazilian teammates now.
“Inter are a big club and therefore there’s a lot of pressure here. That is especially true for fans accustomed to great icons like Javier Zanetti, Ronaldo and Esteban Cambiasso. I want Inter to go back to the Champions League.
“We started the season well and were top until after Christmas, then we slipped up and fell behind. We still finished fourth and got into the Europa League, even if it’s not the Champions League.
“I want Inter to get back into the Champions League and fight with Juventus for the top. When Inter and Milan aren’t in good shape, Juve can relax. Napoli and Roma might be close to Juve, but they can’t catch them. That’s always the case. Inter and Milan must become great again to put pressure on Juventus.”