Inter Milan defender Manuel Akanji has once again expressed pride in his Nigerian heritage, despite representing Switzerland at the international level.

The 30-year-old, who joined Inter on loan with an obligation to buy from Manchester City during the summer transfer window, spoke about his roots and first weeks in Milan during an interview with Inter TV.

Born in Wiesendangen, Switzerland, to a Swiss mother and a Nigerian father, Akanji carries a visible reminder of his heritage — an eagle tattoo on his left arm, symbolizing the Nigerian national team.

“This is the eagle, from the Nigerian national team, with the football under it. It’s something I carry with me,” he explained.
“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.”

The defender also reflected on his childhood visits to Nigeria, noting that although his career makes it difficult to travel, he still holds fond memories of his trips there.

On football, Akanji recalled his first game at the San Siro, when Borussia Dortmund faced Inter.

“I remember the atmosphere was unbelievable. I can’t wait to play there again. Hopefully, we’ll get a good result together.”

He revealed that his first football shirt belonged to Italian legend Christian Vieri, admitting that Inter Milan has always been a team he admired:

“Even if I wasn’t an Inter fan, I always followed Inter because they’ve been one of the best teams in Italy, if not the best.”

Now a regular starter for the Nerazzurri, Akanji has made five appearances across competitions this season. While Inter have collected maximum points in the Champions League, their Serie A campaign has been less consistent with only nine points from five games.

Looking ahead, Akanji says his goal is to help the team chase titles while continuing to improve as both a footballer and a person.

“I want to play everywhere I go and improve as a player and as a person; these are the most important things for me.”