Former Inter Milan "Defector" Skriniar Faces Growing Controversy: Juventus Move a Real Possibility as Life Outside the Nerazzurri Turns Sour

Inter Milan is gearing up for their first home match of the new season in the second round of the league. Although they didn’t secure a win in the opening game, the atmosphere around the club remains positive: 75,000 fans are expected to pack the San Siro, while the players and coaching staff are brimming with enthusiasm on the training ground. The starters are raring to go, and even the substitutes—like Mehdi Taremi, Davide Frattesi, and Piotr Zieliński—are eager to make an impression and knock on Simone Inzaghi's door with their performances. However, not every player is in such a favorable situation. Take, for example, Milan Škriniar.

Many fans have asked for an update on his situation, so here is a breakdown. According to recent reports from multiple media outlets, including L’Équipe and Le Parisien, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has decided to exclude Škriniar from the squad list with just a week left in the transfer window. The club has openly told him he is not part of the coach’s plans. They’ve gone as far as denying him even a spot on the bench, making it clear that he’s not even a backup option. This rather harsh method of “pushing someone out” is anything but gentle.

A Bitter Turn of Events: PSG’s Stance on Škriniar

In truth, the situation has escalated quite naturally to this point. After last season ended, PSG had already informed the Slovakian defender that "the club would not stand in the way of a transfer." This was essentially a subtle way of saying they wanted him out. However, Škriniar has remained adamant about staying (rumored to be due to his signing-on fee, which wasn't paid out in full upfront, meaning leaving after just one year would result in a significant financial loss), and this has caused the situation to evolve continuously.

First, during the European Championship, French journalists repeatedly asked Škriniar at press conferences, “Will you leave Paris?”—essentially trying to push him out. Frustrated, Škriniar angrily responded, “It’s you who wants me to leave, not me,” before storming out. In July, PSG began actively trying to offload him to clubs in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Turkish Süper Lig, turning their intentions into concrete actions. However, in interviews with French media, Škriniar continued to express his desire to stay in Paris, repeatedly stating, "No manager has asked me to leave."

But each time he professed his loyalty, the French media would quickly circulate reports that "sources within the club confirm that Škriniar has been told he is not in Luis Enrique's plans," further humiliating him. The more he pledged his commitment, the worse his public standing became, with increasing numbers of fans and journalists turning against him. Now, PSG has made their stance crystal clear by removing him from the squad list entirely. The club’s desire to offload Škriniar has been evident throughout the summer, but his refusal to transfer has led to this messy situation. French media have even suggested that this saga could turn into a full-blown "farce."

Potential Moves to Juventus or Bayern Munich

According to L’Équipe and Le Parisien, two clubs remain potential destinations for Škriniar, who has high salary demands: Juventus and Bayern Munich. Recently, Škriniar himself hinted at a possible return to Serie A, stating in an interview, "Nothing in life is certain." This has sparked intense speculation within Inter Milan circles.

Škriniar’s relationship with Inter Milan fans was already strained when he left the club on a free transfer without bringing in any transfer fee, despite his years as a fan favorite and team captain. To many Nerazzurri supporters, he was already seen as a "traitor." However, out of respect for his past achievements and role in their title-winning campaign, some fans still held back from openly criticizing him, trying to preserve a sense of dignity. Yet, if Škriniar were to sign with Juventus—Inter’s historic and fierce rival—the remaining goodwill and any sense of nostalgia would likely be completely shattered. Should he return to the San Siro in a Juventus jersey, he would be greeted with flying insults, jeers, and perhaps even flying objects from the stands.

From Hero to Villain: A Rapid Fall from Grace

This situation is a sharp contrast to just over a year ago, when Škriniar, thanks to his carefully crafted public image, was considered a "fan favorite" and a "public idol" at Inter. At that time, wherever he went in Milan, he was met with applause, cheers, autograph requests, and admiring glances from young fans. I distinctly remember that during Inter’s last tour in China, most Juventus fans at Nanjing Olympic Sports Center were wearing shirts emblazoned with Cristiano Ronaldo’s number 7, while most Inter fans wore Škriniar’s number 37. Back then, he may not have been as wealthy as today, but in the hearts of Inter fans worldwide, he was a superstar, a hero, and an icon.

The Cost of Choices: Football and Beyond

Then, he faced a choice: to stay at Inter Milan, choosing loyalty and a reduced paycheck, albeit still the highest in Serie A; or to take the money and leave everything else behind. He chose the latter. While Inter Milan suffered disappointment, frustration, and significant financial loss, Škriniar secured an exceptionally high salary that few players could ever hope to attain. However, this came at a cost. He never truly won over the hearts of PSG fans, and in recent months, his time in Paris has become increasingly unbearable.

From boos and online abuse to constant criticism, the club's disdain for him has become more evident, while journalists push him harder to leave, and media criticism has grown harsher. This is how life often works: when you choose one path, you risk losing something else. In football, as in life, nothing comes without a cost.