Inter Milan

Wanda Nara, the wife and agent of Mauro Icardi, has said the player wants to stay at Inter Milan despite recent speculation regarding his future.

Icardi has not featured for the club since it was confirmed he had been stripped of the captaincy in February. Last week, following numerous cryptic Instagram posts from the player about his situation, Inter confirmed a "cordial meeting" had been held between Icardi, Nara and club chief executive Giuseppe Marotta.

Speaking to Tiki Taka (h/t Football Italia), Nara made it clear the striker wants to remain at the San Siro and said the player is currently sidelined due to injury, meaning he is a doubt for the showdown with local rivals AC Milan on Sunday:

"Mauro wants to stay at Inter. I'm working to make him feel good and make peace with the club. We also chose a lawyer who's an Inter fan!

"The derby? The knee problem isn't an invention. He's taking care of himself 24 hours a day. Health is his priority right now because maybe he doesn't feel important for the team.

"Absent at San Siro against SPAL? We stayed at home with our family watching the game. It wasn't because we were afraid of whistling. It was also something we agreed with the club. I talk to Marotta more than I do to Mauro right now to avoid any misunderstandings at a time like this."

While Icardi has been linked with a move away from Inter, Bleacher Report's Gianni Verschueren said any club should be hesitant about signing him:

https://twitter.com/ReverschPass/status/1095932113856221184

The reference to Icardi's knee problem comes after Inter said on their official website that the Argentina international did not have an issue following an examination by medical staff.

Speaking ahead of the game on Sunday, Inter manager Luciano Spalletti said despite the assessment of club doctors, Icardi said: "No, I still feel pain. I'll tell you when I feel ready to play," per Perform (h/t AS).

Nevertheless, there does appear to be an end in sight at last to the saga, with the club, Icardi and his agent in discussions. 

On his birthday last month, bet365 put into context just how important Icardi has been to the club in recent years:

He's scored more league goals for Inter Milan than Christian Vieri, Adriano and Samuel Eto'o.
He ended a six-year streak of Juventus players being named Serie A POTY.
He's one of the most naturally gifted finishers in the world.

Happy birthday, Mauro Icardi. pic.twitter.com/7TCs0Pke86

— bet365 (@bet365) February 19, 2019

Squawka Football broke down how prolific he has been in his 200 appearances for the Nerazzurri:

Happy 26th birthday to Mauro Icardi!

🔵 208 games
⚫️ 122 goals
🏆 2017/18 top scorer
🏆 2018 Serie A Player of the Year

Undeniable talent. pic.twitter.com/bHq4fHGtfm

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 19, 2019

Although the ongoing drama is an unwelcome distraction for Inter, if Icardi does get back in the team and agree a new contract, then it would be a major boost for the club. His current deal is set to expire in 2021.

While Sunday's derby is likely to come too soon for Icardi, having him involved in the final couple of months of the season would be key for Inter while they pursue a top-four finish and the UEFA Europa League title.  

Mauro Icardi has told Inter Milan he will let them know when he feels ready to return to training, according to manager Luciano Spalletti.

The Argentinian has not played for Inter since he was stripped of the captaincy in February amid ongoing contract talks with the club.

His absence has been partially explained by a knee injury. 

But, after Icardi was absent again for Inter's 0-0 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt in the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, Spalletti revealed the striker has been given the all-clear by the club's medical staff, per Sacha Pisani of Goal:

"The truth is that we asked Mauro if he felt like resuming training. The doctor said that in his view the necessary period for treatment had terminated. He replied: 'No, I still feel pain. I'll tell you when I feel ready to play'. I acknowledged what he said and went back home. The director [Beppe Marotta] will tell you the rest."

Icardi, 26, and Wanda Nara, his agent and wife, met with Marotta earlier this week in an attempt to resolve his contract situation:

Inter's Sport CEO Giuseppe Marotta today held a cordial meeting with @MauroIcardi and Wanda Nara in search of a solution to satisfy the best interests of all involved.#FCIM

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) March 6, 2019

Given that Icardi again ruled himself out of appearing against Eintracht, it does not appear as though the meeting was a major success.

The forward's contract at the San Siro runs to 2021, but Pisani noted he has been heavily linked with a move to a number of top European clubs, including Juventus, Barcelona, Napoli, Manchester United and, perhaps most prominently, Real Madrid. 

The forward's last appearance for Inter was against Parma on February 9.

Initially, the Nerazzurri dealt quite well without him, winning three games on the spin in all competitions.

However, they are now winless in their last three, and Icardi would arguably have been the ideal man to have on the pitch in Frankfurt to turn the tie in Inter's favour.

Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp saved a Marcelo Brozovic penalty that Icardi may well have buried:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1103722058645757958

The second leg is next Thursday, and Inter are slight favourites to advance to the last eight, given they will have home advantage.

They will be even stronger favourites if Icardi is back in the fold by then, as he is the club's best goalscorer by some distance.

Inter Milan confirmed a "cordial meeting" was held between star forward Mauro Icardi, his wife/agent Wanda Nara and the club's chief executive Giuseppe Marotta in an attempt to solve the ongoing saga surrounding the striker.

Icardi has not played for Inter since it was confirmed the club had taken the captaincy from him. While there has been some talk regarding a knee problem, the Serie A side said on their official website there was no major injury issue recently.

The club appeared to suggest a positive step had been made on Wednesday, though, with the three parties getting together in a bid to move forward:

Inter's Sport CEO Giuseppe Marotta today held a cordial meeting with @MauroIcardi and Wanda Nara in search of a solution to satisfy the best interests of all involved.#FCIM

— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) March 6, 2019

Per Goal, there has been tension between Icardi and Inter since the decision was made to give the armband to Samir Handanovic.

During his time on the sidelines, the Inter man has sent out a number of social media posts of a cryptic nature. In one Instagram post, he called for "respect" from the San Siro outfit. As Goal noted, he previously said that "it's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt."

The issues between the club and player appear to stem from the fact that Icardi has not signed a new contract.

Speaking about the Argentina international earlier this month, Marotta said there was "no split" between Inter and Icardi, noting that "we never talked about a sale abroad or anything else," per Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia).

Eurosport's Siavoush Fallahi said the manner in which Icardi has reacted to having the captaincy taken from him appears to have surprised the club:

If Inter were counting the strong personality Mauro has shown on the field to show when he was stripped of the captaincy they might’ve thought wrong.

His strong character & desire for revenge is nowhere to be seen & Icardi isn’t playing which puts Inter in a very bad situation.

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) March 5, 2019

While Inter's results were initially good following the change of captaincy, they've picked up just one point in their last two games.

Overall, the team will suffer without Icardi. Not only was he a leader on the field, but he has long been one of the most dependable goalscorers in Serie A, able to take all different types of opportunities inside the penalty area.

Squawka Football summed up just how important the No. 9 has been for the Nerazzurri:

Happy 26th birthday to Mauro Icardi!

🔵 208 games
⚫️ 122 goals
🏆 2017/18 top scorer
🏆 2018 Serie A Player of the Year

Undeniable talent. pic.twitter.com/bHq4fHGtfm

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 19, 2019

Inter are in a battle to finish in the top four in Italy—they were bumped down to fourth spot courtesy of local rivals AC Milan at the weekend—and they're also in the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League.

Inter Milan chief executive Giuseppe Marotta has dismissed speculation over a rift between Mauro Icardi and the club. 

Since Icardi was stripped of the captaincy, rumours have gathered pace regarding the striker's situation at the San Siro.

This week, he released a statement on social media in which he part praises the club, but he also said "I don't know if there's respect towards Inter and I on the part of those who make decisions," per Football Italia.

Ahead of the team's meeting with Cagliari in Serie A on Friday, Marotta was asked about Icardi and did his utmost to play down reports of tension between the two parties, per Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia):

"These are internal matters, we'll deal with the player himself and I don't feel there's the need to fix anything, seeing as there has been no split. There is absolutely no split. [...]

"We never talked about a sale abroad or anything else. I don't wish to be rude, but please change the subject. I am not the person who can talk about this issue. There was also this supposed controversy between club and coach, but I can assure you we are very united and are working together to help the team grow in future."

Once again, Icardi was left out of the Inter squad to face Cagliari due to a reported injury. It means he's not played for the club since February 9.

Here is more of what the Inter striker had to say in his social media bulletin about the Nerazzurri:

Mauro Icardi is Inter through and through ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/EW4N2FDdPF

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 28, 2019

The situation is a far from ideal for the Milan giants, as the issue surrounding Icardi, his future and his contract is consistently brought up in the media. 

When he's at his best, Icardi has proven himself to be one of the most dangerous strikers in world football, consistently competing at the top of the Serie A goalscoring standings. Although prior to Friday's encounter Inter had won three and drawn one of their three games without their No. 9, and without him, they are a much less fearsome prospect.

With that in mind, all at the club will want the current saga sorted. Italian football journalist John Solano thinks the post from Icardi will only likely fuel speculation:

There’s several ways to interpret that letter from Icardi.

For me, it almost reads like a goodbye.

— John Solano (@Solano_56) February 28, 2019

Eurosport's Siavoush Fallahi said there was a selfish undertone to what the striker had to say:

It surprises me to see so many think Mauro’s letter yesterday was a love letter or excuse towards Inter.

For me what Mauro wrote is the total opposite of that. He just wrote about himself, how good he is, how much he’s done and nothing else.

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) March 1, 2019

There has been so much focus on Icardi as of late and it's almost been forgotten Inter's season still remains alive. They are into the last-16 of the UEFA Europa League—Eintracht Frankfurt are their next opponents—and in a battle to finish in the top four in Serie A.

If Icardi gets back in the team and back among the goals, the Nerazzurri may yet have a 2018-19 to remember. However, the longer this issue rumbles on, the more likely it is to overshadow and distract the team in the most crucial months of the season.

Mauro Icardi has demanded "respect" in a lengthy Instagram post after being dropped from the Inter Milan squad to face Cagliari on Friday:

Mauro Icardi is Inter through and through ⚫🔵 pic.twitter.com/EW4N2FDdPF

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 28, 2019

Here's his statement in full, per Goal:

"It's in the most difficult moments that true love is shown. In those moments I decided to stay at Inter, with Inter.

"When I felt that with my goals I could help Inter to be stronger, in many ways. Stronger than the problems of Financial Fair Play, stronger than our difficulties, when there were many to judge that as a team we were not worth much.

"At Inter, with Inter and despite all, I've always decided to stay, and for the love of these colours, I've turned down offers that few professional players would have refused.

"I played with physical pains that brought me to tears after the game, and in the following days. But I have always insisted on taking the field, even against medical advice, because I was able to forget every pain on the field, with the only goal of giving everything I could to help these colours.

"For the LOVE of the Nerazzurri colours. Because there is only Inter. I showed my children that we must keep hope. I taught them that winning is difficult, but that doing it with Inter has a unique meaning, that only a true Inter supporter can understand and feel. The eyes of my children do not lie. This love for Inter has been learned at my house.

"I realised my dream, I realised the dream of all of us at Inter, returning to the Champions League, with the team I was captain of. Because I have always felt and transmitted love for these colours.

"I have always disapproved of those who at the first opportunity tried to leave the club. I respected the fans, my team-mates, the club, and all the coaches that passed through during my stay.

"I have collaborated with the club, both on and off the pitch, in the inclusion of every new player, showing him that only with passion could we reach our goals.

"I know what love is for Inter, and Inter fans know this because they have seen how I suffered, cried, fought and finally enjoyed these colours. At Inter. With Inter.

"But as I said, all the sacrifices were made for the love of these colours, and respecting everyone. I do not know if at this moment there is love and respect towards Inter and towards me by some who make the decisions. I do not know if there is somebody with the desire to act and solve things only and exclusively for the love of Inter.

"In a family many things can happen, beautiful or ugly. And for love you can bear a lot, of everything. But it must never lack respect. These are my values, these are the values for which I have always struggled. In my story. At Inter. With Inter."

Icardi has been stripped of the captaincy at the San Siro, with the armband handed to Samir Handanovic, and has not featured for Inter Milan since February 9.

The recent events, coupled with Icardi's failure to agree a new contract with Inter, have fuelled speculation he could be set to leave the Serie A side.

Sports journalist Siavoush Fallahi offered his view on Icardi's statement:

My take on this is very simple. I know all the good things Mauro has done for Inter.

In what he writes today it’s only: “me, me, me. I did, I felt, I’ve done.“

In order for this situation to be resolved I feel he has to take a step towards the club and his teammates.

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) February 28, 2019

There have been also suggestions that Icardi's absence from the team has also been because of a knee injury. However, according to AS (h/t Perform), the club have not found any "significant problems" when conducting tests.

Inter manager Luciano Spalletti was asked about Icardi ahead of the trip to Cagliari but refused to discuss his former captain, per Goal's Guy Atkinson.

"Many things have already been said about Icardi by Marotta and Zhang," he said. "From now on I'll only talk about the players that are available for selection, not those who aren't, because they're the ones who are on the field and care about the fate of Inter. I won't talk about the others anymore."

Icardi's wife and agent, Wanda Nara, has said that the striker losing the captaincy was "like pulling one of his legs off" and he does not want to leave Inter Milan in an appearance on Mediaset television (h/t Ben Gladwell at ESPN FC).

Meanwhile, Inter director Beppe Marotta has said the club plan to offer Icardi a new deal but does not know how it will be received, per Calciomercato.com.

"Let's see. I don't know if this will be the week that we will present him with our contract renewal offer, it will probably happen by next week," he said. "There aren't any deadlines, let's see. It isn't sure that Icardi accepts our proposal either..."

Yet the uncertainty surrounding Icardi's position had led to rumours that he could be set for a move to either Juventus or Napoli.

According to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Football Italia), Napoli are willing to offer Icardi a salary worth 9 million plus bonuses a season but Inter would prefer to sell him to Juventus.

Icardi's latest comments will do little to resolve his current situation which is threatening to overshadow Inter's season.

However, the club have performed well in his absence. They have won three and drawn one of their last four games without the striker and will be confident of victory against a Cagliari side who have won just once in 2019.

Wanda Nara has hit out at her critics by describing herself as a "revolutionary" amid ongoing talks with Inter Milan around Mauro Icardi's contract. 

Nara, Icardi's agent and wife, has been involved in the ongoing saga that has seen the striker stripped of the Inter captaincy and exiled from the squad.

Icardi's deal runs to 2021, but he has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, per Goal.

Nara is a key player in the negotiations and has regularly discussed the matter in the media.

Now she has demanded more recognition for the role she is playing in a male-dominated environment, per Italian outlet Gente (h/t Nick Howson of Goal):

"This is a very macho world and what I'm doing is revolutionary. Although there are many relatives who represent players, the role of women in football is more linked to 'staying at home with the kids and keeping quiet.' That's why I'm a revolutionary. I have friends who are wives of players and many laugh at me.

"They see that what I'm doing as strange, but they've asked me to represent their husbands because they know me, they know how I act and defend my interests. There is no crisis with Mauro, nor was there one. The stories that have come out are fantasy and very little to do with real life. We're really happy together.

"It's very difficult to be a woman in this macho world, but I have people who respect me. Some people have made things up to destabilise me. They've got very far. Mauro gives me courage. He isn't the macho type, and he's the first to believe in me. I would never speak ill of any relative."

On the contract issue, Nara added: "We're super happy here."

She has long maintained that the best outcome for her and Icardi would be for the Argentinian forward to sign a new contract at the club. 

Given he has been prolific for Inter since joining from Sampdoria in 2013, it has always seemed Icardi and Nara are in a strong position to negotiate with the Milan club.

The 26-year-old's record of 109 goals in 179 Serie A appearances for the Nerazzurri is impressive and puts him among Europe's best marksmen.

Last term Icardi finished joint top scorer in the Italian top flight with 29 goals:

You’re in elite company, Mauro Icardi 🔵⚫ pic.twitter.com/kWUBva8t0V

— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 17, 2018

In his recent absence, though, Inter have gone unbeaten in four matches, winning three and drawing one.

If they continue to perform well without him, Icardi and Nara's negotiating position may weaken as Inter could decide they can cope without him. 

Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar has said he is close to signing a new contract with the Serie A side. 

The centre-back has been one of the standouts in his position in Serie A since joining the club in the summer of 2017.

As such, it's been no surprise to see some of the biggest clubs in European football linked with a move for him, with Mark Ogden of ESPN FC previously reporting Manchester United were interested in the Slovakia international.

But speaking with Sky Sport Italia, the defender said he is near to agreeing an extension with his club (h/t Calciomercato.com). "My contract renewal? We are close," he said. "I have a great relationship with the club."

These words will be music to the ears of Inter supporters, especially given the ongoing saga involving former captain Mauro Icardi.

As BBC Sport reported, the striker's agent and wife, Wanda Nara, has commented publicly on Icardi's contract issue on numerous occasions, with Inter manager Luciano Spalletti saying the impasse cannot be resolved by "likes on social media."

Skriniar was asked whether Icardi, who has been absent from Inter's past three matches because of a knee injury, was involved in the team's celebrations after they beat Rapid Vienna 4-0 in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. 

"I did not go into the locker room since I went for a doping test," he said. "When I play, I try to do my best, beyond the opponent. This is my spirit and in my opinion, it must be within every single player."

If Inter do want to return to the top of Italian and European football again, it's crucial they keep hold of the likes of Skriniar and Icardi, as they can help forge a dependable spine for the team.

Per Scouted Football, despite only turning 24 recently, Skriniar is experienced in the Serie A and has a positive impact on the team's defensive play:

Milan Škriniar at 24 years-old:

• 97 Serie A games
• 32 Serie A clean sheets

• 23 Slovakia caps
• 7 Slovakia clean sheets

The national team stalwart and Internazionale enforcer turns 24 today. 🎂 pic.twitter.com/ovEOFeYzuA

— SCOUTED (@scoutedftbl) February 11, 2019

On the ball, he's an assured and purposeful presence:

Most passes per game of defenders in Serie A this season:

🥇 K. Koulibaly -- Napoli (74.0)
🥈 M. Skriniar -- Inter (69.5)
🥉 J. Andersen -- Sampdoria (62.7)https://t.co/x7C9pJR0Py pic.twitter.com/5KF8GslCPx

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) February 8, 2019

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia ahead of Thursday's match, Inter director Giuseppe Marotta said the club is "very advanced" in its negotiations with Atletico Madrid for their veteran defender Diego Godin (h/t Football Italia).

The Uruguayan is poised to join Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Miranda and Andrea Ranocchia among Inter's defensive options. With that in mind, Nerazzurri supporters would have been fearful the club might cash in on their star centre-back in the summer.

But Skriniar appears content with life in Milan, and a new contract would ensure any suitors would have to part with an extraordinary amount to prise him from the San Siro.

The saga involving Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi took another twist on Wednesday when the Nerazzurri announced the star striker underwent an MRI scan that revealed no "significant changes" in his right knee.

Per the club's official website, Icardi had complained about pain in his right knee, but the medical staff found no injury:

Inter confirm scan on Mauro Icardi’s knee revealed no significant injury pic.twitter.com/Fz30PzxUfL

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 20, 2019

According to Football Italia, Icardi has been sidelined for the last week, and the injury―described as inflammation of the knee―was cited as the reason. News of the injury emerged shortly after the club stripped Icardi of the captaincy, however, leading to doubts over its legitimacy.

Eurosport's Siavoush Fallahi questioned the news:

Now I got Icardi(or Wanda?) twitter beefing Mauro's sister whilst Mauro isn't playing due to an "injury" he didn't have three days ago. Eliminate social media ffs

— Siavoush Fallahi (@SiavoushF) February 16, 2019

As Goal explained, Icardi and Inter have been at odds since the decision was made to remove his captaincy. The 25-year-old didn't travel with the team to Austria for a UEFA Europa League match and was in the stands for the win over Sampdoria during the weekend.

The Nerazzurri have tried to downplay the "painful" decision on several occasions, per Goal, while Icardi has sent out several cryptic tweets:

This quote doesn't mean what Mauro Icardi thinks it means... https://t.co/0RcRqiZLXS

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) February 15, 2019

His wife and agent, Wanda Nara, has also spoken out during a recent appearance on Mediaset's Tiki Taka (h/t ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell).

She said the duo do not wish for the striker to leave the club:

"I couldn't see this coming. Nobody had said anything to us, despite the fact we'd been in touch with the club on a daily basis and I'd had a three-hour meeting with them. I found out about it via Twitter.

"We are a family of Interistas. Mauro has scored 120 goals for this shirt, and he is the first person to believe in this team. I live in Milan for Inter, and I don't want to leave. We don't want to leave Inter. This situation must be resolved."

Inter have won both of their matches without the Argentina international with Lautaro Martinez leading the attack. Radja Nainggolan played in a more attacking role against Sampdoria and bagged the winner, scoring his first goal in Serie A since November.

With Inter publicly suggesting Icardi isn't injured, it remains to be seen whether the former Sampdoria man will start on Thursday in the return leg against Rapid Wien. The Italians will start the contest with a one-goal advantage after beating Rapid 1-0 in Austria.  

Inter Milan CEO Guiseppe Marotta has given a fresh update on Mauro Icardi's situation at the San Siro and says Milan do not want to sell the striker.

The 25-year-old has been stripped of the captaincy, which has prompted speculation over his tenure with the side, but Marotta says he does have a future at the San Siro, per Sky Sport (h/t Gianluca Di Marzio):

"Icardi is part of our squad but right now he is not available for selection. That's it. Icardi is a player of our club and we must stay with him and we are glad to do it. We talk to him everyday. 

"We don't want to sell Icardi, regardless of our decision to strip him of the armband. He did well for us and we are certain that he will keep doing well in the future too."

Icardi missed Inter's 2-1 win over Sampdoria on Sunday due to injury but watched from the stands:

Mauro Icardi watches Inter from the stands 👀 pic.twitter.com/YrCJreALdk

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 17, 2019

Manager Luciano Spalletti acknowledged his presence at the stadium but suggested he should have visited the dressing room after the match, per Goal's Tom Webber.

"I really appreciated that he was in the stadium and I would've appreciated it even more if he had come to the dressing room to celebrate with us afterwards, because it was a very important victory for the team and he is part of this group, so I imagine he was as happy with the win as we were," Spalletti said.

Icardi's agent and wife, Wanda Nara, says he does not want to leave but has explained how the striker felt at losing the Inter Milan captaincy:

Wanda Nara was in tears as she confessed Mauro #Icardi was distraught at losing the #Inter captaincy. “It was like taking away a leg. It is not our intention to leave.” https://t.co/JxmI8HZoWF #FCIM #Argentina pic.twitter.com/M28RV7R2IZ

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 17, 2019

However, the current situation has sparked interest from Juventus. The club's chief football officer, Fabio Paratici, has said he has been in touch with the Nerazzurri about their striker, per Rai Radio1 (h/t Goal's Tom Storer):

"We asked for information. We wanted to know what Icardi thinks about playing for Juve. What we did was to inform them [Inter] that, if Icardi were to change club, Juve could be interested.

"These are things all clubs do with a lot of players. There has been no contact lately with Mrs Icardi. He's an Inter player and we have an important few months ahead."

Marotta told Sky Sport (h/t Calciomercato.com) the club will offer Icardi a new contract. However, it seems that his future at the club will remain uncertain until a new deal is agreed.

Mauro Icardi was hurt after being stripped of Inter Milan's captaincy and doesn't want to leave the club despite his ongoing contract dispute, which wife and agent Wanda Nara says "must be resolved." 

Nara appeared on Mediaset programme Tiki Taka (h/t ESPN FC's Ben Gladwell) and responded to Icardi's recent removal as captain, as well as his absence from Luciano Spalletti's last two matchday squads:

"For Mauro, it's like pulling one of his legs off. He's very proud of that captain's armband and of this shirt. He never played for the money. Mauro loves this club, and he wore the armband with pride.

"I couldn't see this coming. Nobody had said anything to us, despite the fact we'd been in touch with the club on a daily basis and I'd had a three-hour meeting with them. I found out about it via Twitter.

"We are a family of Interistas. Mauro has scored 120 goals for this shirt, and he is the first person to believe in this team. I live in Milan for Inter, and I don't want to leave. We don't want to leave Inter. This situation must be resolved."

Gladwell wrote that Spalletti saw Nara's public comments about Icardi's situation as divisive and that they had "caused embarassment," which led to the decision to strip him of the armband.

He subsequently withdrew from the team that faced Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round-of-32 clash on Thursday and was in the stands for Sunday's 2-1 win over Sampdoria at the San Siro:

Mauro Icardi watches Inter from the stands 👀 pic.twitter.com/YrCJreALdk

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 17, 2019

Goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has taken over as captain, but Spalletti told the media after the win that he "would've appreciated it even more if he [Icardi] had come to the dressing room to celebrate with us afterwards."

Inter chief executive Giuseppe Marotta arrived in the role from Juventus only last year but made a big power move by disciplining Icardi, and he also told Mediaset the club wants to "resolve this tension and bring serenity," per Gladwell:

"It's not a disciplinary measure. When you are managing a company, and I am the general manager, there are principles which must be adhered to.

"The heads of a family have to take action towards their children to help them grow. Mauro's a good guy, but he's got a lot of growth ahead of him.

"It was with a heavy heart that we took this decision, and all I can say to Wanda is that we will meet soon to discuss this if she likes."

Marotta also said a new contract offer will be presented to Icardi and Nara, after which it will be their decision whether to accept.

Goal provided more comments from the chief executive on Icardi, who is said to have been nursing a knee injury during his time out of the team:

There are two sides to every story...🤔

But what comes next for Mauro Icardi?🤷‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/1hxy3bnF92

— GOAL (@goal) February 18, 2019

Icardi's absence against Sampdoria came after he had failed to score in his past seven Serie A games, a drought that's been attributed by some to the distractions regarding his contract. The Argentina striker has a deal in Milan until the summer of 2021.

The Nerazzurri have won their last three matches in a row and could welcome Icardi back for Thursday's Europa League second leg at home to Rapid Vienna.