Argentinian midfielder Ricardo Álvarez has spoken to the Italian press today. In an interview with Passione Inter, the 32-year-old has recalled pretty much his entire career.
One of the main subjects was his departure from Inter Milan, who he left to join Sunderland in 2014. Despite not regretting the decision, the player now claims he wouldn’t do that again.
“Playing in the Premier League is something I’ve always wanted to try. Then Inter, as I said, lived a different moment than now. It was a decision. Going back, maybe I wouldn’t do it again”, Álvarez told Passion Inter.
“In England, however, it was a good experience, to try their football. However, it will remain among the memories of my career.”
“After the first game I got hurt and I struggled to recover, it was a special year. But regarding growth, experience, live their football, their culture, their country so different from Italy. It was still a good time.”
Asked if he got disappointed with the move, Álvarez said: “Yes, but with myself. I wanted to live up to that league. For other reasons I haven’t succeeded, I have that regret. But come on, it went like this and I keep the positive things”.
Sunderland paid €1.5m to sign Álvarez on a loan deal from Inter Milan in the summer of 2014, with the move being made permanent for €11.5m a year later.
But in two years at the club, the player only managed to make 17 appearances for the Black Cats, having scored only one goal. In 2016, Álvarez left the English side on a free move to Sampdoria.
He later played for Mexican side Atlas and is currently at Velez Sarsfield in Argentina, which was his first club as a professional, and he plans to retire there.
