Serie A golden boy Icardi looking to shine on bigger stage

MILAN: Argentina striker Mauro Icardi is the golden boy of Italian football as much for his goal-scoring prowess with Inter Milan as his colourful lifestyle off the pitch.

The heavily tattooed 25-year-old from Rosario – also the hometown of Lionel Messi – followed the same route as his illustrious countryman to Barcelona in 2008.

He moved to Italy in 2011 to Genoa club Sampdoria before arriving in Inter Milan five years ago, taking over as captain in 2015.

His ability to quickly put himself in a striking position and his accuracy in front of goal in a championship renowned for its tight defending have garnered 116 goals for the club.

Luciano Spalletti, who took charge of Inter a year and a half ago, said: “He has no weakness, he is perfect.

“Icardi is a complete striker and for his age shoulders so much responsibility.”

Icardi was joint top scorer in Serie A last season with his 29 league goals.

He was named Serie A Footballer of the Year last week, the first player not from Juventus to win since Zlatan Ibrahimovic with AC Milan in 2011. The Argentine also won the best goal award for his spectacular backheel during a four-goal haul against Sampdoria last March.

He gave each of his teammates a Rolex watch to thank them for helping him reach the mark for the second time in his career, saying “without you it would have not been possible” in a post on Instagram.

Inter take on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League today in a crucial game for the club’s progress in the competition they returned to this season for the first time since 2011-12.

Icardi scored his first Champions League goal in a 2-1 home win over Tottenham, but the Italian club lost away to the English side, with both level on seven points.

Inter will finish second and qualify for the knockout rounds if they pick up more points than Spurs manage away to group winners Barcelona.

There has also been speculation about Icardi’s future at the club should they fail to advance in Europe.

Icardi insists: “I’ve always clarified my goals.

“The first was to come back to the Champions League with Inter and we reached it, the second was to win something with Inter.” — AFP