Sucic followed Man City midfielder’s advice to join Inter | OneFootball

Petar Sucic reveals his compatriots Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic and Marcelo Brozovic all advised him to join Inter: ‘Lautaro Martinez sent me a beautiful message as soon as I signed.’

The Croatia international formally joined the Nerazzurri only a few weeks ago, although he had completed his medical and signed his contract with the Serie A giants in February 2025.

Sucic opens up about Inter transfer

(From L) Italy’s midfielder #18 Nicolo Barella and Croatia’s midfielder #08 Mateo Kovacic collide during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Croatia and Italy at the Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig on June 24, 2024. (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL / AFP) (Photo by JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP via Getty Images)

“Everything is going great. It’s a big life and career change, but I strongly wanted it. I’m at a truly massive club, and I want to fully enjoy this experience, both as a footballer and as a person. Of course, I want to win,” the Croatian midfielder told Gazzetta.

Sucic has already made his debut with the Nerazzurri in the Club World Cup.

“I started by taking private Italian lessons over the last few months. I don’t speak it yet, but I understand almost everything, even if sometimes Italians talk really fast,” he said.

“Lautaro sent me a beautiful message as soon as I signed and offered his help, just like a real captain. Others have helped me too. Hakan [Calhanoglu] has been amazing. Mkhitaryan acts as my official translator when needed. He speaks so many languages. Croatian may be the only one he’s missing.”

How about Inter’s new coach, Cristian Chivu?

“He loves what he does, and he shows it. He’s precise in every single training session, and I’ve also noticed another important quality. He speaks directly and says what he thinks to your face,” said Sucic.

Other Serie A clubs wanted Sucic

epaselect epa11661068 Petar Sucic (L) and Borna Sosa (R) of Croatia celebrate a goal during the UEFA Nations League group A1 match between Poland and Croatia in Warsaw, Poland, 15 October 2024. EPA-EFE/Piotr Nowak POLAND OUT

“He’s not beating around the bush; he gets straight to the point. He hasn’t had any specific requests of me so far. I want to build chemistry with my teammates and understand how to play, how we train and where I’ve arrived. Basically everything.”

The 21-year-old confirmed that other Serie A clubs were interested in his services, but he only wanted to sign for the Nerazzurri.

“It’s true, but I won’t say which ones,” he said.

“When my agent said Inter wanted me, I said, ‘I only want to go there.’ This is a special club also because of all the Croatians who have worn this shirt. Brozovic, Perisic and Kovacic. They all told me the same thing: ‘Go to Inter without even thinking about it.’ Let’s say I just followed their advice.”

Sucic will make a remarkable reunion with his compatriot Luka Modric in 2025-26 as the experienced midfielder is set to sign a one-year deal with Inter’s city rivals Milan.

“It’ll be amazing if he signs. Playing a derby against Modric would be special,” said the Inter midfielder.

“We’ve only ever played together for the national team. For us Croatians, he’s simply the greatest ever. Everyone wants to be like Luka. I can’t imagine what it’s like to play against him, but the Milan derby and San Siro are truly unique. When I first walked in for Inter-Fiorentina, I was like ‘wow.’ It’s not a stadium, it’s the home of football.”

Sucic has signed a contract until June 2030 at the Stadio Meazza.