Nainggolan angry at McTominay comparison, lists ‘over-rated’ Serie A stars

Radja Nainggolan insists he is not a fan of comparisons with Napoli’s Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund, or Roma’s Manu Koné. ‘I was something else in my prime, come on!’

The Belgian midfielder spent most of his career in Italy with Cagliari, Roma, and Inter, but is still playing now at the age of 37 following the move to KSC Lokeren.

He sat down with Fantalab and was typically outspoken when it came to the current crop of Serie A players, especially those who have been compared to his playing style.

SASSUOLO, ITALY – AUGUST 23: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and SSC Napoli at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on August 23, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“He is good to have on your Fantasy Football team because he scores goals, but I got 11 in a season, and I don’t think he did that,” said Nainggolan.

“I don’t like the comparison, because I was something else in my prime, come on! McTominay didn’t even get regular playing time at Manchester United, because he is not a good passer of the ball, and not that good technically either.

“He suits Antonio Conte at Napoli, just as Emanuele Giaccherini fit in his team. Arturo Vidal, for example, was something else entirely.”

Radja Nainggolan of AS Roma gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on February 7, 2017 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images )

There has been another signing at Napoli from Manchester United, namely striker Hojlund, but again Nainggolan is unimpressed.

“I don’t like him. He’s a runner, a hard worker, but how many strikers are there like that around? Someone like Nikola Krstovic, who works hard, scores his goals, but hasn’t got much to give with his back to the goal. In big clubs, in my view, you should be able to play football.

“I think Moise Kean is over-rated too. Rafael Leao has the ability to have moments of great skill, but doesn’t do it enough. I wouldn’t call him over-rated as such, but he doesn’t do it enough considering what he’s capable of.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Manu Kone of AS Roma during the pre-season friendly match between Everton and AS Roma at Hill Dickinson Stadium on August 09, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

When it comes to his former club Roma, Nainggolan is similarly vicious towards France international Koné.

“He’s a decent player, you won’t get the ball off him because he is so physically strong, but he doesn’t do goals or assists. I’ve seen many like him, he’s not decisive in front of goal. I’d also say Artem Dovbyk is over-rated, especially when people try to compare him to Edin Dzeko.”

“I would’ve gladly stayed there for life, as the mentality of the people there is what I’m after. When I arrived, the team wasn’t that strong, but over time I saw players who went on to have incredible careers, like Antonio Rudiger, Mohamed Salah, Miralem Pjanic.

“With that team, Roma would win five titles nowadays, but at the time Juventus were unbeatable.”

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