Carboni: Inter talent listened to Messi’s compliments during knee injury recovery

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 21: Valentin Carboni #45 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Inter talent Valentin Carboni reveals he listened to Leo Messi’s compliments while recovering from a knee injury: ‘It was incredible.’

Carboni, 20, returned to Inter in the January transfer window after suffering a knee ligament injury during his loan spell at Marseille under Roberto De Zerbi.

He spent the second part of the season recovering from the injury and has now been included in the Inter squad at the Club World Cup.

The Argentine talent played a key role in the Nerazzurri’s qualification for the Round of 16, scoring a late goal against Urawa Reds to seal a 2-1 win.

“Honestly, I didn’t expect it at all. The injury was a huge blow. My career had progressed so quickly before the injury, but everything happens for a reason in life,” Carboni told Gazzetta.

Carboni scored two goals and provided four assists in 32 appearances with Monza in 2023-24 before his unfortunate spell at Marseille.

Carboni feels ‘stronger’ after ACL surgery

“Even if I went through a lot of pain, I can almost see something positive in this ACL surgery. It helped me mature and improve where I needed to,” he said.

“I’ve become a more complete person and player. I feel stronger physically and mentally, and more motivated than I was before.

“Technically, I am an attacking midfielder, but today it’s hard to find teams that play with a player behind the strikers, so players like me often shift to a mezzala (box-to-box) role. Maybe in the future I will see myself playing there.”

Carboni has reunited with his compatriot Lautaro Martinez at Inter.

“He is a captain and a role model, in words and actions. He was thrilled about my goal, just as he had been at Appiano Gentile while I was undergoing rehab,” said the Inter talent.

“He knows what I went through and what it means for me to be here.”

Carboni: ‘Messi’s compliments incredible’

Even a legendary player like Leo Messi noted Carboni’s talent in 2024, saying that the Inter talent had a bright future ahead.

“It was incredible, but at the time I didn’t really realise because everything was happening so fast,” Carboni admitted.

“However, when you go through hard times, you think about the good moments. During recovery, I’d listen to those compliments again. I remember when he called me before the Copa America. One day, I want to wear the national team jersey again.”

The 20-year-old made his senior international debut for Argentina in 2024 and has since collected three caps. Before his debut with the Albiceleste, he had scored four goals in 11 appearances with Italy at a U17 level.