Inter Milan title winner reveals he can drink 20 shots and still perform on the pitch

Inter Milan title winner reveals he can drink 20 shots and still perform on the pitch,Radja Nainggolan became well-renowned for his wacky hairstyles and off-field antics during his time at Roma before going on to win the Italian Serie A with Inter Milan

Inter Milan title winner reveals he can drink 20 shots and still perform on the pitch

Former Inter Milan star and Serie A title winner Radja Nainggolan insists he could drink 20 shots and still perform out on the pitch – and is adamant his notorious party lifestyle did not hamper his playing career.

The Belgian midfielder is in the twilight of an impressive career which has seen him represent Roma, Cagliari and Inter, among others. His time at Roma made him a household name, where he earned a place in the Serie A team of the year four seasons running and attracted admiring glances from Manchester United.

His time at the Stadio Olimpico was summarised by Roma's sporting director Walter Sabatini, who recently claimed to La Gazzetta dello Sport that Nainggolan's form only ever dipped when he was off the booze.

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Speaking to Corriere della Sera, Nainggolan said: “Sabatini? I called him and told him that eight shots weren’t enough… I can also drink 20. And then I go out on the pitch anyway.

“He loves me, he’s always advised me to have a quieter life. He thinks I would have a better career. But I don’t agree, on the pitch I gave it my all.”

Inter Milan's Radja Nainggolan (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring vs Juventus — Nainggolan claims he could still perform even after drinking 20 shots (Image: AFP/Getty Images)

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Often remembered for his garish hairstyles, one of Nainggolan's most notable moments came when Roma dropped him from the team for a match against Atalanta after a video emerged of him smoking and drinking whilst celebrating on New Year's Eve 2017.

Now 34, Nainggolan is plying his trade at Serie B outfit SPAL after joining them in January following a problematic spell with Royal Antwerp in his homeland. Reflecting on his off-field antics down the years, Nainggolan said: “As a boy I suffered, my family was poor, I made great sacrifices to become a footballer.

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Radja Nainggolan of Belgium reacts during the EURO 2016 match vs Wales — The Belgian midfielder became renowned for his wacky hairstyles (Image: Getty Images)

"And now, I don’t give up living, also because nature has given me a body that isn’t affected by the shenanigans I’ve done. Everywhere I did shenanigans. At Roma I arrived late, there were videos in which I was not very lucid in the evening and then that famous New Year’s Eve at my house…. I’ll remember it for the rest of my life.

“Maybe that was the craziest night. Well, my videos drunk, smoking and saying words out of place went around the world. I was attacked by everyone, Roma went on a rampage. And they were right.”

Standard's Noe Dussenne and Antwerp's Radja Nainggolan — His time at Royal Antwerp did not go particularly to plan (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Radja Nainggolan of Spal looks on during the Serie B match between Spal and Como — He is now plying his trade at Serie B side SPAL (Image: Getty Images)

Nainggolan was part of the Inter squad who won the 2020/21 Serie A title under the management of Antonio Conte. He left for Antwerp the following August, where he was never too far from controversy.

In his first week at the Belgian club he was caught drink-driving and speeding, which culminated in him losing his licence. Just two months later he was spotted smoking an e-cigarette on the subs' bench during a match and was suspended indefinitely by Antwerp, who later forced him to train with the youth team before his eventual exit via mutual consent.

So far this season he has made 18 appearances for SPAL, scoring three goals, though the club are sat 19th in the Serie B table.