Romelu Lukaku admits he was so keen to join Inter he started learning Italian at Manchester United and reveals the truth on his relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Belgian was involved in a scuffle with the Milan striker during a Coppa Italia derby back in January.
Romelu Lukaku admits he was so keen to join Inter he started learning Italian at Manchester United and reveals the truth on his relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Belgian was involved in a scuffle with the Milan striker during a Coppa Italia derby back in January.
“We were 1-0 down, I had missed a goal and I was a little angry. His words hit me. I am not happy about my reaction, but I don’t let myself get pushed around,” Lukaku told Il Corriere della Sera.
“I am humble, I am a winner, and I fight until death for my teammates’ victory.
“Ibrahimovic is a great footballer, he’s won everywhere he’s been, scoring more than 500 goals. I had had a good relationship with him until I was at Manchester United, but we need this kind of footballers in Serie A.
“He wants to win for himself, I want to win for Inter and Ronaldo for Juventus. Now, there is Mourinho at Roma. These are nice things for Italian football,” he added.
Antonio Conte was the main reason why the 27-year-old joined Inter in 2018.
“To me, Conte is the best coach and he immediately convinced me. When I signed with Inter, I texted him, saying: ‘I am arriving’,” the striker revealed.
“It’s always been a dream to play in Serie A. When I was at Manchester United, I used to tell Darmian: ‘I’ll go to Inter, talk to me in Italian, and reply in English.’
“When I arrived, I already knew the language and Italy has given me so much. We finished as runner-ups in Serie A and Europa League last season and Conte and I lived that as a defeat. We have been able to transform that into motivation.”
Inter won their first Scudetto in 11 years, but had been eliminated from the Champions League in December.
“It was a huge disappointment,” Lukaku admitted.
“Real Madrid are a strong side, but we are better than the other two, we must qualify for the last-16 stage next season, anything can happen.”
Will Conte leave Inter at the end of the season?
“No, I don’t think so. He is happy and he feels well here. He is coaching a team that follows him during games and training sessions. We have everything to open a new cycle and I want to do it with Inter.”