Football
ESPN staff 8y

Mauro Icardi 'never thought about leaving' Inter Milan

Mauro Icardi says the idea of leaving Inter Milan never entered his mind during the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old was linked with a move to Atletico Madrid, with his wife and agent Wanda Nara even claiming to have met with the club in July.

But Icardi told Mediaset he never wanted to leave the Nerazzurri.

"The club invested heavily in the summer, bringing in quality players and this is an advantage for me," Icardi said.

"I want to win with this shirt. I want to stay here. I am comfortable in the city and I never thought about leaving this team."

Nara also proclaimed Icardi to be the  "best No. 9 in the world," but her husband was a bit more modest.

"She wrote that because she's my wife, but I'm lacking a lot to be considered the best striker in the world. There are many better strikers who do amazing things," said Icardi.

"I'm the Inter striker and in football if the striker's aren't scoring, then they're not helping.

"It's my duty and I have to keep doing it, and of course to do it against Juve is always nice. Doing it in the Inter shirt is different than doing it for Samp.

"Scoring in the Derby d'Italia is always important and a source of great satisfaction."

Icardi was again overlooked for a spot in the Argentina national team for next months' World Cup qualifiers, but he said he'd be happy to accept a call-up.

"Argentina has the strongest attack. If the coach selects me I would be happy and would learn many things from the players that are there," Icardi said. "Of course, playing with Messi, who is the best player in the world, would be great."

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