Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji, who is currently on loan at Inter Milan, has opened up about his strong ties to his Nigerian roots despite his decision to represent the Switzerland national team at senior international level, Footynaija.com reports.
Akanji, who was a key member of Manchester City’s 2022/2023 treble winning squad, presently finds himself in the beautiful city of Milan where he now dons the blue and black stripes of 20-time Serie A champions Inter Milan.
The 30-year-old defender joined Inter on loan from Manchester City in the summer, with the specifications of the deal including a mandatory purchase option for the Nerazurri next summer and while speaking to Inter TV about settling into life in Milan, he also took time to reflect on his Nigerian roots.
What Manuel Akanji said about his Nigerian heritage
Akanji, who was born in Wiesendangen to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father, revealed that his connection to Nigeria remains a big part of his identity. Pointing to the eagle tattoo etched on his left arm, Akanji explained:
“This is the eagle, from the Nigerian national team, with the football under it. It’s something I carry with me,” he said.
“Obviously, I play for the Swiss national team, but I’m still really proud of being Nigerian. I could only make one decision, but they are still with me all the way. It’s been a long time since I’ve been back to Nigeria.
“It’s hard for me to go back because I don’t have a break in the winter, and summer is the rainy season, so you never really know what you’re going to get, but when I was young, I went there three or four times.”
Akanji has quickly established himself as a key player for Inter Milan, starting in all but one of his five appearances for the Nerazurri since his arrival. He’ll certainly be key for Cristian Chivu’s side as they aim to rub shoulders with the likes of AC Milan and champions Napoli at the summit of Serie A.
