MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 27: Piotr Zielinski has issued a resolute declaration, pledging to deliver his peak performance for Inter Milan following a disappointing inaugural season at the club. Speaking exclusively to Sport Mediaset via FCInterNews, the Polish international acknowledged that a series of injuries hampered his progress during his debut year at San Siro.
Zielinski’s distinguished career culminated in a successful stint with Napoli, where he cemented his reputation as one of Serie A’s premier midfielders. He was a key component of Napoli’s 2022/23 Scudetto-winning squad. Despite significant interest from several European clubs last summer, the 31-year-old opted to join Inter on a free transfer, anticipated to provide a substantial upgrade on existing midfield options, including Davide Frattesi and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
However, Zielinski’s first season with the Nerazzurri was marred by persistent injuries, limiting his appearances to only eight starts in Serie A. Despite late appearances under Cristian Chivu in Inter’s opening two league matches this season, Zielinski admits the previous year’s setbacks significantly impacted his development.
“I started off with small injuries that never allowed me to be at my best,” Zielinski stated. “Then another one came just as I was gaining confidence and finding consistency. Unfortunately, injuries left their mark on my first season at Inter, but overall it went well and I’m happy.”
Looking ahead to the 2025/26 campaign, Zielinski emphasized his ambition to establish himself as a player of Inter’s highest calibre. “This year, I want to prove I’m an Inter-level player, with the quality to give a lot to the team,” he declared. He confirmed his commitment to the club, stating, “I want to stay, I want to give my all, I want to show the fans the prime version of Zielinski.”
The midfielder expressed openness to playing in any midfield position instructed by the coach. Furthermore, he dismissed any lingering effects from Inter’s defeat to PSG in the Champions League final. “No aftereffects, that’s the past,” he commented.
Despite a slip-up against Udinese earlier in the season, Zielinski remains focused on the Scudetto race, urging Inter to “always aim high in every competition and try to win.” He concluded by stating, “We’ll see. We’re strong, we have a lot of quality, and we’ll try to finish the season on top.”