Why Lionel Messi’s Former Teammate Wants Inter Milan To Defeat Real Madrid

Inter Milan’s Arturo Vidal said he wants the Italian side to defeat Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League clash Tuesday so that the fans of his former club, FC Barcelona, can celebrate.

Vidal, who spent two seasons with the Lionel Messi-led side, moved to Inter Milan in the 2020 summer transfer window for a fee of $1.1 million in variables.

Speaking at a press conference Monday, on the eve of the Champions League clash between Inter Milan and Real Madrid, Vidal said Inter’s victory over Real would bring joy to his former club’s fans.

"It's a great match. I spent two great years at Barcelona, so I hope to be able to celebrate a win with Inter and Barcelona fans," Vidal, who attended the press conference with Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte, said.

The 33-year-old Chilean does not have a great record against Real Madrid. During his Bayern Munich days, Vidal was sent off in their Champions League defeat against Los Blancos in 2017, while his two meetings with Real Madrid in La Liga last campaign resulted in a draw and defeat.

Even though Vidal may not be at his best anymore, Inter head coach Conte believes the midfielder is still capable of delivering at the highest level.

Vidal, who is looking to repay the faith the boss has shown in him, added, "I'm happy to be here and to do what the coach asks of me. Before I scored a lot of goals, now I have to give my all, do what the coach asks, and always putting the team first. For us, whether it’s in the league or the Champions League, all matches are like a final. Tomorrow will be a very intense match, it’s always nice to play a strong team like Real Madrid but for us, all the matches are like a final," added Vidal.

Inter Milan are yet to win a game in the Champions League as their opening two matches of the 2020-21 season against Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Monchengladbach ended in a draw.

Even Zinedine Zidane’s side has not had the best of the starts to their Champions League campaign. Even Real Madrid are yet to secure a win in the tournament and with a loss and a win so far from their two games, the 13-time champions are currently at the bottom of their Group B.