Nerazzurri captain and goalkeeper Samir Handanovic just turned 37, but is still going strong at the highest levels of professional football. The Inter shotstopper won his first trophy with the club last season since moving from Udinese almost a decade ago.
Speaking to Tuttosport (via FCInterNews) in an exclusive interview, the Slovenian veteran likened himself to the great German-American poet Charles Bukowski and reflected on his similar straightforwardness.
He said: “Sometimes I feel like the Bukowski of goalkeepers: I don’t drink, I don’t smoke but like him I am a direct type who, if I have to say something to someone, I go straight”.
Handanovic played a pivotal role in Inter’s Scudetto run last season as he also won the first title of his extensive career – a long wait. The captain praised the resilience of the team and urged them to continue winning.
“This is a team that can and must continue to win. I don’t know if we are more or less strong than a year ago, but we are certainly more complete. And we also have more experience,” he added.
He also praised former manager Antonio Conte for instilling a wining mentality in the team, that has now been carried over under Simone Inzaghi.
On which, he commented: “We players have only to thank Conte. What struck me most is the mentality he brought. He knows how to excite his players and never misses the moment in which to say things.”
The legendary goalkeeper has made 391 appearances in the Nerazzurri colours since the 2012/13 season. His contract is set to expire at the end of the current season.