Darmian: Milan’s youth academy a ‘school of life’, Inter teammates say I bring luck | OneFootball

Inter defender Matteo Darmian grew up playing for the youth sides of the Nerazzurri’s city rivals and still cherishes those years at Milan as he believes they proved a ‘school of life’ and allowed him to make it to the top level.

The former Manchester United wing-back was part of the Rossoneri’s academy for nine years and even made his professional debut with the Diavolo, although he only racked up four Serie A appearances in three seasons at the club.

DECEMBER 23: Matteo Darmian of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on December 23, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

He swapped Old Trafford for Inter in 2020, and he’s since become a highly trusted Nerazzurri player as well as a talisman, since his teammates are convinced that he’s lucky and he brings ‘good luck’ to his side too.

Darmian: Inter teammates say I ‘bring good luck’

“I grew up in a small-town reality, in Rescaldina,” Darmian told Cronache di Spogliatoio in an interview, as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.

“Then I joined Milan’s youth academy, which was a school of life. Behaviour was fundamental; they wanted you to pursue football and education side by side.

“We all know how difficult it is to make it to the top level. My parents always tell me, ‘We were lucky, you were such a calm child.’ Even now, I have passions like design and fashion.”

Inter Milan’s Italian defender #36 Matteo Darmian (top R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A football match between Inter Milan and Napoli at San Siro stadium in Milan, on March 17, 2024. (Photo by Isabella BONOTTO / AFP) (Photo by ISABELLA BONOTTO/AFP via Getty Images)

Darmian had won only his only trophies with Manchester United before moving to Inter, but his Nerazzurri spell has been even more successful so far, as he lifted the Serie A title twice, three Supercoppa Italiana and two Coppa Italia.

The 34-year-old recalled a moment last season that was further proof of the fact that he seems to ‘bring good luck’, as many of his teammates claim.

“My teammates say I bring good luck—or rather, they say I’m just lucky,” Darmian said.

“At one point during a game [last season against Verona], I caused a penalty. But my teammates were calm: ‘Darmian caused it; they’re definitely going to miss it!’

And in the end, Henry actually did miss! That game was a rollercoaster and was crucial for winning the second star.

In the end, everything went well—partly thanks to us, and partly thanks to my luck, let’s say! All jokes aside, I believe that you attract and create your own luck based on how you are every day.”

Darmian has one goal and two assists from 14 matches across all competitions this term.