Joao Mario: ‘Won’t return to Inter’

By Football Italia staff

Joao Mario declares “I will not go back” to Inter, admitting “the truth is that I don’t like Serie A”.

The Portuguese midfielder joined the Nerazzurri for €45m in the summer of 2016, but spent the second half this season on loan at West Ham United.

It’s not yet clear if the Hammers will sign him outright, but the 25-year-old is adamant he won’t be coming back to Italy.

“I don’t want to try again,” Joao Mario revealed, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I don’t have the necessary motivation, it’s an experience that’s over, no doubt.

“I’m not angry, I’m taking stock of the year and a half I spent in Milan. The idea is clear: I will not go back.

“I’m just honest, there’s no fire inside me to rekindle with the Nerazzurri. When I arrived I was fired-up for a project which seemed to be taking off, too bad it didn’t go that way.

“The summer of 2016 was hard from every point of view, there were changes of ownership and a situation in the bench that was not stable: [Roberto] Mancini, [Frank] De Boer, and [Stefano] Pioli.

“There was too much confusion, and for new signings like myself and Gabigol it was hard.

“I’m not making excuses, the chaos of that moment was clear. That’s another reason I wasn’t able to express myself at my best.

“Who is to blame? Everyone and no-one. Inter and the environment there, probably all of Italian football, is not for me.

“It would be pointless to go back to Appiano Gentile [after the World Cup], even if I have a contract until 2021.

“I hope we can find a solution as soon as possible, maybe even before the end of the World Cup.

“In football, as in life, one must be honest in understanding when things end. And with Inter it's over.”

Joao Mario was then asked how he’d respond if he got an offer from Juventus or Milan.

“I don’t know if they’re like Inter, so it’s hard to answer. I’d say that Italian football doesn’t match my characteristics.

“In short, saying no to Juventus or Milan would be born of my past at Inter. The truth is I don’t like Serie A.

“Luciano Spalletti? He’s an excellent Coach, he’s not the problem.

“I’m evaluating things and the Premier League would be ideal, it’s a spectacular environment; a physical and technical competition at the same time.

“That’s the first idea, then La Liga. West Ham could be an idea, but now it's too early to make a judgement.”

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