Radja Nainggolan warned he “will never wear the Juventus jersey” and claimed Luciano Spalletti “changed Roma’s mentality.”
The midfielder spoke to the AS Roma Match Program ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Atalanta
“I am honoured to be at a club that aims high and to have given my support in these years. Everyone at Roma cares for me, apart from the thieves who robbed my house a few days ago!”
Radja Nainggolan warned he “will never wear the Juventus jersey” and claimed Luciano Spalletti “changed Roma’s mentality.”
The midfielder spoke to the AS Roma Match Program ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Atalanta
“I am honoured to be at a club that aims high and to have given my support in these years. Everyone at Roma cares for me, apart from the thieves who robbed my house a few days ago!”
Nainggolan has famously clashed with Juve fans several times on Twitter and once declared a victory at Roma was worth 10 in Turin.
“I don’t know why that’s the case, but it always has been. Juventus have always been the team to beat and in any case you will never see me wearing the Juventus jersey.”
There has also been transfer speculation around Chelsea, Manchester United and more, but the Belgium international is a key figure in Rome.
“I was fortunate in a way that when I arrived Kevin Strootman was injured. It was only supposed to be for a few months, but unfortunately his injury was far worse than expected and I am still here.
“I am disappointed for him, but always thought of doing my best for this team and I will continue to do so until the final day.
“Every year in June I am considered to be among those likely to leave. It happened at Cagliari and I remained there for five years… The same is happening at Roma.
“I can only say that I am happy to be here and will always give my all with this jersey.”
Roma have been revitalised since Spalletti took over from Rudi Garcia in January.
“He is more focused on details. The training sessions are now longer and we are in better shape physically during game situations. Victories bring victories, everyone knows that.
“The biggest change is that we changed mentality as a team. Going for second place is difficult, but as long as it’s mathematically possible we must keep pushing, regardless of other results.
“It’ll be tough against Atalanta, as they need points to secure safety, but if we play the way we know how, we can get the full result.
“Just as against Bologna, the teams that clam up are the most dangerous. We struggle to find spaces or on set plays in these situations, so need to be extra careful.”