Icardi Stripped Of Inter Milan Captaincy

By Max Wise

Inter Milan have stripped Mauro Icardi off the club's captaincy and handed it over to goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Icardi’s long-term future at the club has been shrouded in doubt with several of Europe’s top clubs after the 25-year-old’s signature.

The Nerazzurri have not sighted the reason behind their decision to take the armband away from Icardi though the team has claimed it is not selling the player.

The development, however,  will only intensify speculation regarding the player's future with several clubs already on the heels of the latter.

Icardi’s current contract does not expire until the summer of 2021, but manager Luciano Spalletti, speaking after Inter’s 1-0 win over Parma on Saturday, urged the club to secure the long-term future of the Argentine.

“I have not created any problems for Icardi,” Spalletti told DAZN following Saturday’s clash.

“Issues need to be clarified because when you leave things half-cocked, they become open to interpretation.”

“People have said a few too many things, now there is time to sit down and talk about something we’ve avoided and dragged along with us for months.”

Icardi trained with his teammates ahead of their Europa League clash with Austria Vienna on Thursday, meaning he will be in contention to start in a game where Handanovic will don the armband.

Icardi’s wife, Wanda Nara, who also doubles as his agent has previously maintained that her client will sign a new deal with Inter.

Icardi has had a slight dip in form for the Nerazzurri recently, having gone seven Serie A games without finding the back of the net, although he is still their top scorer this season with 15 goals in all competitions.