De Vrij aims subtle dig at Inter after exit: ‘I wanted to feel important again’

De Vrij aims subtle dig at Inter after exit: ‘I wanted to feel important again’ Stefan de Vrij has offered a pointed explanation for his decision to leave Inter and Serie A, in comments that read as a subtle dig at his former club. The Netherlands defender, whose contract expired at the end of June, has joined Greek side Panathinaikos after years as a fixture in the Inter backline, a spell that brought the Scudetto among other honours, but ended with a diminished role. Speaking to ESPN on the sidelines of a friendly between Panathinaikos and Ajax, he made clear that a desire for prominence drove the move. “My contract was expiring and I wanted to go back to being an important player somewhere,” De Vrij said, with quotes courtesy of LaLazioSiamoNoi . “Unfortunately, last year I didn’t play much at Inter.” MILAN, ITALY – MAY 17: Stefan de Vrij of FC Internazionale Milano poses for a photo with the Coppa Campioni d’Italia and Coppa Italia trophies following the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) De Vrij drawn to Panathinaikos project after Inter exit The 34-year-old, who began his Italian adventure at Lazio before the switch to Inter, was tempted by the ambition of his new surroundings, and, by his own admission, by the city itself. “Then I discovered this beautiful historic club that hasn’t won trophies for a long time,” he explained. “They’re working on a very good project and have taken the right path, with a new board and a new young, modern coach. That attracted me. And then I was on holiday in Athens, a fantastic place. Did that holiday play a role? Yes, let’s say it was a coincidence.” He was more guarded on suggestions of a possible move to Feyenoord, adding that a minor injury had complicated things while stressing he remains available for the Netherlands after their early World Cup exit.