Radja Nainggolan
Radja Nainggolan (born 4 May 1988) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Italian club Cagliari Calcio, on loan from Inter Milan.
Nainggolan in 2018 | |||
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Radja Nainggolan | ||
Date of birth | [1] | 4 May 1988||
Place of birth | Antwerp, Belgium[1] | ||
Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)[2] | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team |
Cagliari (on loan from Inter Milan) | ||
Number | 4 | ||
Youth career | |||
2000–2005 | Germinal Beerschot | ||
2005–2007 | Piacenza | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2006–2010 | Piacenza | 71 | (4) |
2010 | → Cagliari (loan) | 7 | (0) |
2010–2014 | Cagliari | 124 | (7) |
2014 | → Roma (loan) | 17 | (2) |
2014–2018 | Roma | 138 | (26) |
2018– | Inter Milan | 33 | (6) |
2019–2020 | → Cagliari (loan) | 26 | (6) |
2021– | → Cagliari (loan) | 5 | (0) |
National team | |||
2004 | Belgium U16 | 1 | (0) |
2007 | Belgium U19 | 2 | (0) |
2008–2009 | Belgium U20 | 2 | (0) |
2007–2010 | Belgium U21 | 13 | (1) |
2009–2018 | Belgium | 30 | (6) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:43, 31 January 2021 (UTC) |
Nicknamed Il Ninja,[3] he spent his entire professional career in Italy, representing Piacenza, Cagliari, Roma and Inter Milan and making over 350 Serie A appearances. He was named four consecutive times in the Serie A Team of the Year.
A Belgium international for eight years, Nainggolan played 30 times for his country (scoring six goals) and represented it at Euro 2016.
Early life
Nainggolan was born in Antwerp, the son of Lizy Bogaerts, a Belgian of Flemish ethnicity who raised him with his three half brothers and his twin sister,[4][5] and Marianus Nainggolan, an Indonesian of Batak background and member of the Batak Christian Protestant Church.[6] His father abandoned the family when Radja was still a child.[7]
Nainggolan's mother died in 2010,[8] and after her death he tattooed two large wings on his back with her dates of birth and death.[7][9] He was raised Roman Catholic and spoke Dutch, English, French and Italian fluently.[10][11][12]
Club career
Piacenza
Nainggolan began playing football with Tubantia Borgerhout at the age of 5.[13] Seven years later he moved to the youth team of Germinal Beerschot, where he remained until 2005,[14] when he was noted by Alessandro Beltrami and moved to Italian Serie B club Piacenza. He made his senior debut on 28 May 2006, during a home defeat to Arezzo, being inserted permanently into the first team the following season.
In the 2008–09 campaign, Nainggolan became a starter for the Emilia-Romagna side, playing 38 of 42 games and scoring three goals, which contributed to them avoiding relegation.
Cagliari
On 27 January 2010, Nainggolan was loaned to Cagliari with a buyout clause.[15] He made his Serie A debut on 7 February, playing seven minutes in a 0–3 away loss against Inter Milan.[16] After making seven appearances (including being sent off a few minutes after entering the field on 28 February against Chievo Verona),[17] the club announced it had acquired 50% of his rights in a co-ownership deal.[18]
In the first part of 2010–11, under manager Pierpaolo Bisoli, Nainggolan started often due to the absence of Daniele Conti. On 31 October 2010 he scored his first goal in the Italian top level, from a right-footed volley in a 2–0 home win over Bologna.[19] On 31 January 2011, Cagliari redeemed the second half of his contract from Piacenza.[20]
In early October 2013, after three seasons as an undisputed first-choice,[21] Nainggolan agreed to an extension until 2016.[22] His performances with the Rossoblu made him especially popular among their fans, who named him in a top 11 list comprising the best players in the history of the Sardinian club.[23]
Roma
On 7 January 2014, Nainggolan was loaned to fellow league team Roma until the end of the campaign for a fee of €3 million, with an option to purchase 50% of his rights in the ensuing summer for €6 million.[24][25] He made his debut two days later, starting in a 1–0 home win over Sampdoria for the Coppa Italia which qualified to the quarter-finals.[26] In the same competition, he also helped dispose of Juventus in said stage by playing the full 90 minutes 12 days later.[27]
On 22 February 2014, Nainggolan scored his first goal for the capital side, grabbing the 1–0 winner against Bologna.[28] His second, which arrived on 19 April against Fiorentina (same result) ensured his team automatic qualification to the UEFA Champions League.[29]
Nainggolan signed a permanent deal with Roma in the 2015 off-season, for €9 million.[30] On 6 July of the following year he renewed his contract until June 2020,[31][32] extending it a further year the following summer.[33]
Inter Milan
On 26 June 2018, Nainggolan signed with Inter Milan for €38 million (€24 million plus Davide Santon and Nicolò Zaniolo, valued at €14 million)[34] until June 2022.[35] He scored in his league debut on 1 September, helping the visitors defeat Bologna 3–0,[36] and just over a month later he netted the equaliser in a 2–1 comeback win at PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League group stage to become the first-ever Belgian to score for the club in the competition.[37][38]
Loans to Cagliari
In August 2019, Nainggolan returned to Cagliari on a season-long loan.[39] He was named the league's MVP for November, with two long-range goals and three assists in three matches to help his team reach fourth place.[40]
Nainggolan returned to the Sardegna Arena on 31 December 2020, again on loan.[41]
International career
Due to his father's heritage, Nainggolan was eligible to represent both Indonesia and Belgium, but ultimately chose to play for the latter nation.[42] He took part at the 2007–09 International Challenge Trophy finals, a tournament which the under-23 team won.[43]
Nainggolan earned his first senior cap on 29 May 2009, against Chile in the Kirin Cup.[44] He scored his first goal for the Red Devils on 5 March 2014, in a 2–2 friendly draw with Côte d'Ivoire.[29]
On 13 May 2014, Nainggolan was selected in a standby list for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[45][46] He did not make the final cut, however.
Nainggolan was an undisputed starter for the Marc Wilmots-led Red Devils during the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying campaign,[47] scoring in an away draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina[48] and a 4–1 win in Andorra as the team qualified for the tournament for the first time in 16 years.[49]
Nainggolan was selected to the finals in France.[50] He made his debut in the tournament on 13 June, playing 62 minutes in a 0–2 loss against Italy.[51] After featuring as a second-half substitute in the second game, a 3–0 defeat of the Republic of Ireland,[52] he returned to the starting XI against Sweden, scoring the game's only goal at the Stade de Nice after a counter-attack to send his country to the knockout stage as second;[53] in the quarter-finals, he netted from 25 metres to put his country ahead against Wales after 12 minutes, but in an eventual 1–3 loss.[54]
On 26 August 2017, aged 29, Nainggolan announced that he would be retiring from international football after not being selected for Belgium's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, and stated that he would be focusing on his club career with Roma.[55][56] However, he was selected by new manager Roberto Martínez for friendlies against Mexico and Japan in November,[57] only to pull out due to injury.[58]
On 21 May 2018, after once again not being picked for the upcoming World Cup in Russia, Nainggolan retired from the international scene.[59]
Style of play
Considered by many experts to be one of the best and most complete midfielders in Europe, due to his ability to aid his team both offensively and defensively, Nainggolan is a quick, dynamic, hard-working, physically strong and versatile midfielder, who is capable of playing in several midfield positions; possessing good vision, passing range, and technique, he is often used as a playmaker in front of his team's defensive line.[60][61][62][63][64][65] He is also known for his attacking drive, ability to get forward and eye for goal from midfield, courtesy of his powerful and accurate striking ability from distance, as well as his movement and ability to make late attacking runs off the ball; his talent, energy, skill, and wide range of attributes led to him being used in a more offensive role as an advanced playmaker behind the two forwards during his time with Cagliari.[61][62][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]
Due to his pace, stamina, tenacity and aggressive tackling, as well as his willingness and ability to chase down and press opponents off the ball, Nainggolan is also a good ball-winner, and has frequently been used in a box-to-box role;[60][61][62][66][74][75] he is also capable of playing as a winger.[76] After his move to Roma, he was mainly deployed as a central or defensive midfielder in a 4–3–3 formation or in the "mezzala" role, and on occasion even as a right-back; following the arrival of Luciano Spalletti, however, he returned to playing in a more advanced role as an attacking midfielder or second striker in a 4–2–3–1 or a 3–4–2–1 formation.[61][66][74][75][77][78][79] He has also been used in a more central or attacking role on occasion,[67] or even as a false attacking midfielder.[80]
In addition to his footballing abilities, Nainggolan has also been praised for his leadership in the media,[81] although he has also drawn criticism for his difficult character and his involvement in several controversial incidents off the pitch.[82]
Outside of football
Personal life
Nainggolan married Claudia Lai,[83] with the couple being parents to daughters Aysha (b. 2012) and Mailey (b. 2016).[84] His twin sister, Riana, is also a footballer.[85]
On 10 July 2019, Lai confirmed in an Instagram post that she had been diagnosed with cancer and would begin chemotherapy treatment.[86] On 8 October 2020, it was announced that Nainggolan tested positive for COVID-19 amid its pandemic in Italy.[87]
Career statistics
Club
Club | Season | League | Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Piacenza | 2005–06 | Serie B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
2006–07 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||||
2007–08 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 11 | 0 | ||||
2008–09 | 38 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 3 | ||||
2009–10 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 1 | ||||
Total | 71 | 4 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 74 | 4 | ||||
Cagliari | 2009–10 | Serie A | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
2010–11 | 36 | 2 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 2 | ||||
2011–12 | 37 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 1 | ||||
2012–13 | 34 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 35 | 2 | ||||
2013–14 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 18 | 2 | ||||
Total | 131 | 7 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 137 | 7 | ||||
Roma (loan) | 2013–14 | Serie A | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 20 | 2 | ||
Roma | 2014–15 | 35 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — | 46 | 5 | ||
2015–16 | 35 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | — | 42 | 6 | |||
2016–17 | 37 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 1 | — | 53 | 14 | |||
2017–18 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 | — | 42 | 6 | |||
Total | 155 | 28 | 9 | 2 | 39 | 3 | — | 203 | 33 | |||
Inter Milan | 2018–19 | Serie A | 29 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 36 | 7 | |
2020–21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | |||
Total | 33 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | — | 41 | 7 | |||
Cagliari (loan) | 2019–20 | Serie A | 26 | 6 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 29 | 6 | ||
2020–21 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||||
Total | 31 | 6 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 34 | 6 | ||||
Career total | 411 | 51 | 22 | 2 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 489 | 57 |
International
National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
Belgium | 2009 | 1 | 0 |
2011 | 1 | 0 | |
2012 | 1 | 0 | |
2013 | 1 | 0 | |
2014 | 4 | 2 | |
2015 | 9 | 2 | |
2016 | 9 | 2 | |
2017 | 3 | 0 | |
2018 | 1 | 0 | |
Total | 30 | 6 |
International goals
- As of match played 1 July 2016 (Belgium score listed first, score column indicates score after each Nainggolan goal)[92]
No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 5 March 2014 | King Baudouin, Brussels, Belgium | 5 | Ivory Coast | 2–0 | 2–2 | Friendly |
2 | 13 October 2014 | Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina | 8 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 1–1 | 1–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
3 | 7 June 2015 | Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France | 11 | France | 3–0 | 4–3 | Friendly |
4 | 10 October 2015 | Estadi Nacional, Andorra la Vella, Andorra | 15 | Andorra | 1–0 | 4–1 | UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying |
5 | 22 June 2016 | Allianz Riviera, Nice, France | 22 | Sweden | 1–0 | 1–0 | UEFA Euro 2016 |
6 | 1 July 2016 | Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France | 24 | Wales | 1–0 | 1–3 | UEFA Euro 2016 |
Honours
References
- "Radja Nainggolan". Eurosport. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "Radja Nainggolan". A.S. Roma. Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- "Ora il Belgio rivuole il suo Ninja Nainggolan convocato in nazionale" [Now Belgium wants their Ninja Nainggolan back in national team]. L'Unione Sarda (in Italian). 5 November 2011. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- "Tottenham incar Radja Nainggolan" [Tottenham want Radja Nainggolan] (in Indonesian). Tempo. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- Adriansah, Oleh (16 June 2013). "Radja Nainggolan diincar klub besar Eropa" [Radja Nainggolan drafted by big European club] (in Indonesian). Ganlob. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- "Radja Nainggolan bangga bermarga Batak" (in Indonesian). Mahasiswa Batak. June 2013. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- Barbon, Luca (29 December 2013). "La GdS racconta Nainggolan: cresciuto senza padre, salvato dalla madre" [GdS tells of Nainggolan: grown up without a father, rescued by mother] (in Italian). Il Vero Milanista. Archived from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- Schirru, Niccolò (19 October 2010). "Grave lutto per Nainggolan" [Serious mourning for Nainggolan] (in Italian). Tutto Cagliari. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- Casati, Fabio (7 January 2014). "5 cose da sapere su Radja Nainggolan" [5 things you should know about Radja Nainggolan] (in Italian). Squer. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- "Radja Nainggolan, serramannese d'adozione" [Radja Nainggolan, serramannese by adoption] (in Italian). A Serramanna. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- "Sorpresa Nainggolan: 'A Firenze meglio che a Lecce'" [Surprise Nainggolan: 'Better in Florence than Lecce'] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 3 December 2010. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- "R Nainggolan après Andorre Belgique" [R Nainggolan after Andorra Belgium] (in French). YouTube. 11 October 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2019.
- Calabresi, M. (14 February 2014). "Anversa, a casa di Nainggolan" [Antwerp, at Nainggolan's] (in Italian). La Roma 24. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- "«Ho sbagliato un gol fatto col Palermo ci riproverò»" ["I missed a clear goal with Palermo I will regret"]. La Nuova Sardegna (in Italian). 5 September 2012. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- "Nainggolan: "Vengo per migliorare" – "La Serie A è un sogno"" [Nainggolan: "I come to improve" – "Serie A is a dream"] (in Italian). Cagliari Calcio. 27 January 2010. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- "Internazionale 3–0 Cagliari". ESPN Soccernet. 7 February 2010. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- "Serie A, Chievo-Cagliari 2–1: decidono De Paula e Granoche" [Serie A, Chievo-Cagliari 2–1: De Paula and Granoche settle it] (in Italian). Blitz Quotidiano. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- Airò, Valerio (21 June 2010). "Ufficiale: Il Cagliari esercita il diritto di riscatto per Nainggolan" [Official: Cagliari exercise redeeming right on Nainggolan] (in Italian). Tutto. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "Cagliari amara" [Cagliari bag it] (in Italian). Bologna F.C. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- Zorzoli, Fabrizio (31 January 2011). "UFFICIALE: il Cagliari riscatta Nainggolan dal Piacenza" [OFFICIAL: Cagliari redeem Nainggolan from Piacenza] (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
- "È Nainggolan il re dei contrasti" [Nainggolan is the king of tackles] (in Italian). Cagliari News 24. 29 May 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- Lazzerini, Pietro (5 October 2013). "Cagliari, Nainggolan: rinnovo e scaramanzia per allontanare le big" [Cagliari, Nainggolan: renewal and good luck to stave off the big] (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- "Speciale: Top 11" [Special: Top 11] (in Italian). Cagliari Calcio. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- "Radja Nainggolan" (PDF) (in Italian). A.S. Roma. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
- "Nainggolan coming to Roma". UEFA. 7 January 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
- "Coppa Italia, Roma-Sampdoria 1–0, decide Torosidis: c'è la Juventus nei quarti" [Italian Cup, Roma-Sampdoria 1–0, Torosidis decides it: it's Juventus in last-eight]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 9 January 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- "Roma-Juventus 1–0: Vendetta servita, Gervinho manda la Lupa in semifinale" [Roma-Juventus 1–0: Revenge served, Gervinho sends She-wolf to semifinals] (in Italian). Goal. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 13 February 2014.
- "Nainggolan's first Roma goal sinks Bologna". Reuters. 22 February 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- "World Cup watch: Lionel Messi, Radamel Falcao & Carlos Tevez". BBC Sport. 21 April 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- "Operazioni di mercato – Radja Nainggolan" [Transfer market – Radja Nainggolan] (PDF) (in Italian). A.S. Roma. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- "Nainggolan: 'Staying at Roma'". Football Italia. 6 July 2016. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
- Wilkinson, Jack (6 July 2016). "Chelsea target Radja Nainggolan staying at Roma". Sky Sports. Retrieved 7 July 2016.
- "Nainggolan signs new long-term contract". A.S. Roma. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
- "Radja Nainggolan: Roma midfielder joins Inter in £33m swap deal". BBC Sport. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
- "#WelcomeNinja: Nainggolan è nerazzurro!" (in Italian). Inter Milan. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
- "Nainggolan's goal on debut paves way for Inter's first win". The Washington Post. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
- Dorman, Matt (3 October 2018). "PSV 1 Inter 2: Nainggolan, Icardi complete another comeback". Goal. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- "PSV 1–2 Inter, all you need to know". Inter Milan. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
- Burton, Chris (5 August 2019). "Nainggolan leaves Inter on Cagliari loan as Belgian midfielder heads 'home'". Goal. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
- "Nainggolan is November's best". Football Italia. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
- "Official: Nainggolan returns to Cagliari". Football Italia. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- Reza Murti, Bagas (27 November 2018). "Radja Nainggolan: Saya Tak Pernah Menyangkal Berasal dari Indonesia" [Radja Nainggolan: I never refused to play for Indonesia] (in Indonesian). Bola Sport. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- Garin, Erik. "International Challenge Trophy (U-23) 2007/09". RSSSF. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- "Kirin Cup: De Laet, Kitoko et Nainggolan aussi" [Kirin Cup: De Laet, also Kitoko and Nainggolan] (in French). DH. 27 May 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- "World Cup squad announcement – Belgium". Twitter. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
- "Januzaj makes Belgium provisional World Cup squad". Goal. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
- "Nainggolan, Januzaj, Batshuayi and other tricky questions for Wilmots". Belgo Foot. 19 March 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- "Belgium make point at Bosnia and Herzegovina". UEFA. 13 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- "Belgium stroll past Andorra to qualify". UEFA. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
- "Marc Wilmots unveils Belgium squad for Euro 2016". Sky Sports. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- "Impressive Italy leave Belgium floored". UEFA. 13 June 2016. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
- "Romelu Lukaku scores twice as Belgium beat Rep of Ireland". ESPN FC. 18 June 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "Belgium send Sweden and Zlatan Ibrahimovic packing from Euro 2016". ESPN FC. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "Wales shock Belgium to reach semifinals at Euro 2016". ESPN FC. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- "Nainggolan: 'I quit Belgium!'". Football Italia. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- Zucchelli, Chiara (26 August 2017). "Nainggolan lascia il Belgio con polemica: "Ora solo la Roma"" [Nainggolan leaves Belgium with controversy: "Only Roma now"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 1 October 2017.
- "Belgium call up Adnan Januzaj, Radja Nainggolan for Mexico, Japan games". ESPN FC. 3 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- "Official: Nainggolan out of Belgium squad". Football Italia. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- "Radja Nainggolan left out of Belgium World Cup squad". Sky Sports. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
- Digby, Adam (23 April 2015). "Born into poverty, established in Italy, ready for England: meet Radja Nainggolan". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- Newman, Blair (12 April 2016). "Why Roma's Nainggolan should be Antonio Conte's Chelsea priority". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
- "Radja Nainggolan: il centrocampista completo" [Radja Nainggolan: the complete midfielder] (in Italian). A.S. Roma. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- "Radja Nainggolan, il vice-Conti "fatto in casa"" [Radja Nainggolan, the "homegrown" vice-Conti] (in Italian). Cagliari News 24. 11 March 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- "Calciomercato Roma, stretta per il ritocco dell'ingaggio di Nainggolan: ma attenzione a Chelsea e City" [Calciomercato Roma, close to new Nainggolan deal: but beware of Chelsea and City] (in Italian). Calcio Mercato. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Zucchelli, Chiara (28 February 2017). "Roma, Spalletti: "Vorrei 10 Nainggolan". E non-nomina mai la Lazio..." [Roma, Spalletti: "I want 10 Nainggolans". And he does not mention Lazio once...]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Minutiello, Valerio (20 January 2017). "Roma-Sampdoria, Nainggolan ora è un bomber: 7 gol, già battuto il suo record" [Roma-Sampdoria, Nainggolan is a bomber now: 7 goals, has already broken his record]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Polverosi, Alberto (14 October 2016). "Roma, Spalletti ha tolto un'ala e così Dzeko ha più spazio" [Roma, Spalletti has removed a wing and so Dzeko has more room]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- "Florenzi, Nainggolan and Pjanic named in UEFA's Serie A team of the year". A.S. Roma. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Masu, Alberto (19 January 2013). "Nainggolan trequartista dietro a Sau-Ibarbo" [Nainggolan trequartista behind Sau-Ibarbo]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- "Nainggolan: «Trequartista? Cerco sempre di impegnarmi»" [Nainggolan: "Trequartista? I always try the best I can"] (in Italian). Cagliari News 24. 4 May 2013. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Pinna, Nicola (14 April 2014). "Schiaffi e pugni alla moglie in strada Nainggolan finisce nei guai a Cagliari" [Slapping and punching of wife in the street Nainggolan gets in trouble in Cagliari]. La Stampa (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- "Roma: Nainggolan, bolide a 100 km/h: «Juventus, arriviamo»" [Roma: Nainggolan, fireball at 60 m/h: "Juventus, here we come"]. Corriere dello Sport (in Italian). 22 February 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Lopopolo, Anthony (19 November 2016). "Ranking the 10 best players in Serie A". The Score. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Chapman, John (25 March 2014). "World Cup 2014: Belgium and Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan – will he stay or will he go to finals in Brazil?". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Zucchelli, Chiara (20 March 2017). "Nainggolan: "Fumo, e allora? Io in Premier? Sto bene a Roma"" [Nainggolan: "I smoke, so what? Me in the Premier? I am well at Roma"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Piredda, Claudio (27 January 2010). "Le prime dichiarazioni di Nainggolan" [Nainggolan's first statements] (in Italian). Tutto Cagliari. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- "Right-back role for Nainggolan?". Football Italia. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- Zucchelli, Chiara (8 February 2017). "Roma, Nainggolan il guerriero dal gol facile: con Spalletti numeri da record" [Roma, Nainggolan warrior of the easy goal: record figures with Spalletti]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). Retrieved 22 March 2017.
- "Di Francesco: 'Called De Rossi first'". Football Italia. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
- Silvestri, Stefano (26 July 2017). "Inter, Vidal è ormai un miraggio: su chi puntare in assenza del cileno?" [Inter, Vidal is now a mirage: on whom to bet in the Chilean's absence?] (in Italian). Eurosport. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- Mari, Daniele (4 October 2018). "PAGELLE: Nainggolan leader totale. Skriniar umilia De Jong. Icardi stavolta la tiene eccome!" [MARKS: Nainggolan total leader. Skriniar humiliates De Jong. Icardi keeps it alright this time!] (in Italian). FC Inter 1908. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
- Parrone, Francesco (22 August 2018). "Il Giorno – Nainggolan, il carattere cozza con i Zhang. Spalletti quando lo ha voluto…" [Il Giorno – Nainggolan, character clashes with the Zhangs. Spalletti when he wanted it…] (in Italian). FC Inter 1908. Retrieved 21 May 2020.
- Carere, Barbara (8 December 2012). "... Radja Nainggolan" (in Italian). Tutto Mercato Web. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
- Valdiserri, Luca (27 February 2017). "Radja Nainggolan, il Ninja col vizio delle sigarette e il tattoo alla mamma" [Radja Nainggolan, the Ninja with a vice for cigarettes and a tattoo for mommy]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 1 February 2019.
- "Europe's footballing brothers and sisters". UEFA. 9 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
- "Dramma Nainggolan, l'annuncio della moglie malata: "Oggi inizio la chemioterapia"" [Nainggolan drama, announcement of sick wife: "I start chemoterapy today"] (in Italian). Forza Roma. 11 July 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- "Comunicato ufficiale di FC Internazionale Milano" [Official FC Internazionale Milano statement] (in Italian). Inter Milan. 9 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
- "Nainggolan has a room with a balcony so he can smoke – Wilmots". FourFourTwo. 24 June 2016. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- "Nainggolan ubriaco in un video, bestemmia e fuma sigarette" [Nainggolan drunk in video, curses and smokes cigarettes]. La Stampa (in Italian). 1 January 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
- "R. Nainggolan". Soccerway. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
- "Radja Nainggolan". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 8 April 2015.
- "Radja Nainggolan". Royal Belgian Football Association. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- "Radja Nainggolan". European Football. Retrieved 3 September 2015.
- "Oscar del Calcio, dominio Juve. Buffon: "Donnarumma ha doti da grande"" [Serie A Oscars, Juve dominate. Buffon: "Donnarumma has the characteristics to be great"]. La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 14 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
- "Gran Galà del calcio, la Juventus fa incetta di premi" [Great Gala of football, Juventus pile up awards]. Il Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
- "Buffon named best player". Football Italia. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 28 November 2017.
- "Serie A Team of 2017–18". Football Italia. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
- "Nainggolan voted Player of the Season". A.S. Roma. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
- "Radja Nainggolan MVP for November". Serie A. 29 November 2019. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Radja Nainggolan. |
- Radja Nainggolan at TuttoCalciatori.net (in Italian)
- Radja Nainggolan at National-Football-Teams.com
- Radja Nainggolan – UEFA competition record