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Suso has revealed that he could have joined Inter at one point in his career, but he had no intention of betraying AC Milan.
Jesús Joaquín Fernández Sáenz de la Torre, known to everyone simply as Suso, was the man of the match in a cold autumn derby like this one in 2016. It was November 20th, like yesterday: the game finished 2-2 with Suso scoring a brace, but goals from Candreva and Perisic earned Inter a draw.
The winger stood out in the eyes of many as one of the better players – especially technically – in a difficult era for the Rossoneri. He ended with 60 goal contributions (24 goals, 36 assists) in 153 games for Milan, before heading back to Spain where he now plays with Cadiz in LaLiga2.
‘Adrenaline is king’
Suso spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published two days before the derby, and he touched on a number of topics from his past in the fixture to how Sunday might go.
Is that derby from nine years ago still the match of your life?
“Yes, Milan is the team where I’ve been happiest. It was my first derby as a starter and the atmosphere was special. And then I made that promise… If I score a brace, I’ll walk home.”
Did you do it?
“No, Inter equalised in injury time, I would have only gone if we had won.”
🎂 Happy birthday to Suso!
🎉 The former #ACMilan winger turns 32 today.
🪄 A reminder of some of his derby magic…pic.twitter.com/MDg4JDyrBK
— SempreMilan (@SempreMilanCom) November 19, 2025
Is it scary to play a derby in front of 70,000 people?
“No, not fear, it’s a feeling of happiness because you’re part of something you saw on TV as a child. You’re proud to have gotten there.”
Have you ever had direct contact with Inter about going to play for them?
“I remember it perfectly. I could have freed myself by paying a release clause, and Inter wanted to pay it. Spalletti called me and I spoke to him on the cell phone.
“The fact that Inter wanted me was a source of pride, but I was a Milan player. I said no: it wouldn’t have been right, given what I’d experienced in Milan.”
But it ended badly with Milan…
“There was a period where the results weren’t great. Milan had hired Pioli, and in December 2019 we lost 5-0 to Atalanta. Pioli removed me from the squad shortly after, and I thought he didn’t want to make me feel important.
“I started not playing, and the team was winning – that’s how football goes sometimes. I felt it was the best time to end things.”
And Milan today?
“I like them. When I watch a Serie A match, I watch Milan. They’ll fight for the Scudetto, like Inter. Allegri, whether they play well or badly, is a fantastic coach.”
And this derby?
“It’s impossible to make any predictions. A derby is unlike anything else; even if it were first against last, it would be impossible to know how it would go. Adrenaline is king.”
Is anyone still in touch?
“Leao just sent me a message. Back then, he was very young, shy, and a very good guy. With those long legs, no one would pick him in training. Now he can do whatever he wants; he has everything it takes to be one of the best.
“The problem is that in football today, there are much more physical, fast players. He has the physique, but people expect a lot.”
One big topic remains: Gattuso…
“I think he’s the right man for Italy: he’s tactically good, he manages the team very well, and he’s charismatic. For me, he’s the perfect person.”
If you had to choose a coach among the many you’ve had in your career?
“I owe everything to Montella. He told me ‘stay here and we’ll do great things.’ Then Gattuso, it was like he wasn’t just a friend, but someone who understood everything in the dressing room.
“Luis Enrique, who is number one in terms of tactics and the way he looks at games. And Lopetegui, because with him I won a Europa League.”
A phrase comes to mind from your 2018 interview with us: ‘I’ll never be a coach’. Still the case?
“No, I’ve changed my mind a bit. I don’t think I’d be a bad coach, even though it’s a tough job: coaches work all day. I like teams that build from the bottom; that’s been my culture. I’d be a bit like Fabregas, who I think will become very good.”
So how much time remains as a footballer?
“I don’t know. I play for Cadiz, I’m at home: I wanted to come back here to help the team get back to La Liga. Sooner or later I’ll talk about joining the technical directorship, but I don’t know if I’ll play for one, two, or three years.”
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