Star midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is adamant Serie A title holders Inter Milan are among the top five teams in the world.
During a comprehensive interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, as reported by FCInterNews, Calhanoglu discussed several other subjects, including his highly anticipated return from injury.
Hakan Calhanoglu suffered a thigh problem during Inter’s narrow 1-0 league win against Roma a week ago.
As a result of the injury, he had to skip the team’s UEFA Champions League trip to Bern and last Sunday’s Derby d’Italia.
Inter squeezed past Young Boys 1-0 but couldn’t beat Juventus despite boasting a two-goal cushion heading into the last ten minutes.
Indeed, Calhanoglu’s heir, Piotr Zielinski, painted his first league start for Inter with flying colors.
The former Napoli midfielder slotted home two first-half penalties, earning plaudits from the Turkish ace.
“He did well; it’s not easy to play in that role after years of doing something different on the pitch,” Calhanoglu said.
“He did a great job and provided crucial support—I congratulate him.”
Calhangolu is the designated penalty taker at Giuseppe Meazza, but Zielinski showed he can replace him.
“He also scored two penalties, which is nice because it means someone else can take them for me.”
Inter Milan Star Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu Hails Nerazzurri As One of the Best Teams in the World
Lautaro Martinez and Calhanoglu were among the Ballon d’Or nominees.
“Very proud, really. I’m happy and proud at the same time, both for myself and for Lautaro and Sommer who are here with me.
“There are three of us, but I hope next year there will be even more Inter players in attendance.
“That would mean we’d had a very important season.”
In addition to Inter, only Manchester City, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Bayer Leverkusen had two Ballon d’Or finalists.
“It shows we’re significant players in a very important club that remains at the top in Europe,” Calhanoglu reflected on that.
“More than that, I believe Inter is among the top five strongest teams in the world right now, and I’m pretty confident about that.”
Calhanoglu also delivered his verdict on an enthralling Derby d’Italia clash against Juventus.
“It seems so. I was disappointed not to be able to play due to the injury. But I think the team put in a good performance,” he said.
“We were a bit unlucky there. But I think the team played excellently, and it’s probably a game we could’ve won.”
