“With this book, I want to send a message to all dreamers, regardless of their profession, who aspire to achieve something in life: keep going, don`t give up, and believe in yourself. Through this book, I try to show young people that nothing comes easily; you have to work and fight for your goals.”
These powerful words were shared by Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the esteemed Inter midfielder, as he presented his new biography, “My Life Always at the Center,” yesterday evening at the Mondadori bookstore in Piazza Duomo, Milan.
During the event, the Armenian international also addressed pressing questions concerning Inter`s current season and his personal future. Below are the key highlights from his statements:
On His Future in Football
When asked about a decision regarding his playing career, Mkhitaryan stated: “As I`ve said, I`m giving my absolute best, and at the end of the season, we`ll evaluate whether I can still contribute effectively to this team. If I can, I`ll continue playing for another year or two; otherwise, I`ll retire without any regrets because I`ll be 37, and I`ve already enjoyed a long and fulfilling career.”
On His Relationship with Simone Inzaghi
A significant portion of his book delves into his bond with former coach Simone Inzaghi. Mkhitaryan elaborated on his comments regarding a “painful parting”: “It`s genuinely difficult to move on from a coach you`ve worked with for three years, someone who has given you so much, especially to me personally. I always played, consistently helped the team, and did my utmost for him because he had unwavering faith in me. For that, I am eternally grateful. It`s challenging to part ways with someone who trusts you implicitly. I`m not implying that Coach Chivu lacks trust, but he is a different personality. We must work diligently and comprehend what he expects from us. I have always been appreciative of all the coaches I`ve had; it`s never easy to leave a coach who holds you in high regard.”
Addressing the Milan-Como Australia Controversy
Commenting on the recent debate involving Rabiot and Maignan concerning a potential match between Milan and Como in Australia, Mkhitaryan offered his perspective: “I cannot directly comment on that specific situation because we, Inter, will not be playing in Australia. However, I can say that it seems a bit excessive to travel 24 hours for a single game and then immediately return. This isn`t an end-of-season friendly or a pre-season fixture; we are in the middle of the season, and such a trip, coupled with the time difference, would be quite demanding. Nevertheless, we cannot truly complain because, ultimately, we are paid to play, and that is precisely what we do.”
Evaluating Inter`s Squad Strength This Season
Regarding whether the current Inter squad is stronger than last year`s, Mkhitaryan responded cautiously: “It`s still too early to make a definitive judgment; we need to play until the very end of the season, and then we`ll assess the standings. What I can say is that we possess a highly competitive squad, and every player is capable of making significant contributions and supporting their teammates.”
Inter`s Significance and Desire for Redemption
When asked about what Inter means to him and his desire for redemption after the match against PSG, he shared: “Inter will be my last team; that`s how I answer it. Coming here at 33 wasn`t easy to adapt to a new environment with so many champions, but I did my absolute best to help the team and my teammates. Naturally, there`s a profound desire for revenge, a desire within ourselves, to be able to win something substantial again this year.”
Upcoming Key Matches Against Roma and Napoli
Looking ahead to critical upcoming matches against Roma and Napoli, and whether this week could reshape the season`s outlook, Mkhitaryan expressed enthusiasm: “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to play these two consecutive important matches because every player dreams of participating in big games. They will undoubtedly serve as a crucial test for us to understand our potential and how far we can truly go.”
Comparing Inzaghi and Chivu`s Philosophies
Finally, on the differences between Inzaghi and Chivu, Mkhitaryan observed: “Every coach has their unique philosophy, and Chivu is indeed asking for a different style of play from us. However, it`s still early in his coaching career; Chivu is young as a manager but possesses immense potential to develop into a truly great coach.”
