Nainggolan angry at McTominay comparison, lists ‘over-rated’ Serie A stars of 2025-26

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25: Radja Nainggolan of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 25, 2018 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)

Radja Nainggolan insists he is not a fan of comparisons with Napoli’s Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund, or Roma’s Manu Koné. ‘I was something else in my prime, come on!’

The Belgian midfielder spent most of his career in Italy with Cagliari, Roma, and Inter, but is still playing now at the age of 37 following the move to KSC Lokeren.

He sat down with Fantalab and was typically outspoken when it came to the current crop of Serie A players, especially those who have been compared to his playing style.

That includes last year’s Serie A Player of the Season, Scudetto winner McTominay.

“He is good to have on your Fantasy Football team because he scores goals, but I got 11 in a season, and I don’t think he did that,” said Nainggolan.

“I don’t like the comparison, because I was something else in my prime, come on! McTominay didn’t even get regular playing time at Manchester United, because he is not a good passer of the ball, and not that good technically either.

“He suits Antonio Conte at Napoli, just as Emanuele Giaccherini fit in his team. Arturo Vidal, for example, was something else entirely.”

Nainggolan lashes out at many Serie A players

There has been another signing at Napoli from Manchester United, namely striker Hojlund, but again Nainggolan is unimpressed.

“I don’t like him. He’s a runner, a hard worker, but how many strikers are there like that around? Someone like Nikola Krstovic, who works hard, scores his goals, but hasn’t got much to give with his back to the goal. In big clubs, in my view, you should be able to play football.

“I think Moise Kean is over-rated too. Rafael Leao has the ability to have moments of great skill, but doesn’t do it enough. I wouldn’t call him over-rated as such, but he doesn’t do it enough considering what he’s capable of.”

When it comes to his former club Roma, Nainggolan is similarly vicious towards France international Koné.

“He’s a decent player, you won’t get the ball off him because he is so physically strong, but he doesn’t do goals or assists. I’ve seen many like him, he’s not decisive in front of goal. I’d also say Artem Dovbyk is over-rated, especially when people try to compare him to Edin Dzeko.”

The Belgian left Roma to join Inter in 2018, a move that was rather forced upon him.

“I would’ve gladly stayed there for life, as the mentality of the people there is what I’m after. When I arrived, the team wasn’t that strong, but over time I saw players who went on to have incredible careers, like Antonio Rudiger, Mohamed Salah, Miralem Pjanic.

“With that team, Roma would win five titles nowadays, but at the time Juventus were unbeatable.”