This evening, the Champions League anthem will resonate in Milan, where Inter welcomes RB Leipzig for the fifth day of the Champions League. A competition from which Joaquin Correa is deprived. Indeed, the 30-year-old Argentinian was not included in the list given by Simone Inzaghi to UEFA. A hard blow for the native of Juan Bautista Alberdi. But this is not the first of his career, which he started in the youth categories of River Plate. After that, he passed through Renato Cesarini and Estudiantes, before leaving the country to discover European football under the colors of Sampdoria, Sevilla, Lazio, Inter Milan and finally Olympique de Marseilles.
A very surprising transfer window
A club where he was loaned last year by the Lombards. But his adventure in the Marseille city was not really a success. In 19 appearances in all competitions (682 minutes played), he has neither scored nor provided an assist. Beyond the figures and statistics, his contribution on the ground did not live up to expectations. Described as a flop by some, Joaquin Correa was logically not retained by Pablo Longoria and his teams, who nevertheless had the possibility of exercising his purchase option set at 13 million euros. But the Marseille leaders were not convinced, who felt that this sum would be more useful to recruit another player. For its part, Inter would have liked to recover some money by offloading an element deemed undesirable.
But Correa returned and did not want to leave during the 2024 summer transfer window. It must be said that there was no real knock on his door. And the few clubs that tested the waters, like Estudiantes de Véron (Argentina), AEK Athens and River Plate, were rejected by the main interested party. Which greatly annoyed the Milanese leaders, who did not understand his decision at all knowing that he would play little or nothing. But it was the Argentine footballer who had the last word since he remained in Lombardy, where his contract runs until next June. The idea will certainly be to go free. Which will surely allow him to have more interesting opportunities.
A door is already opening for January
Besides, Tyc Sports reveals that River Plate has checked his name for the 2025 winter transfer window. The Argentine team would like to repatriate him. Moreover, the thinking heads of River Plate, who believe they have their chances, have already started to discuss with those around him. It remains to be seen the position of the player, but also of Inter. A club where he has only participated in 4 matches in all competitions this season. Deprived of C1, he was only used in Serie A. On the bench for the first three days, he only played 16 minutes against Monza on September 15. Then, we saw him for 4 minutes on the field against Udinese on September 28 and 18 minutes against AS Roma on October 20. Subsequently, he spent 4 matches on the bench before making his return to the field on Saturday against Hellas Verona.
For his first start of the season, the Argentinian international (19 caps, 4 goals), who replaced Lautaro Martinez, met expectations as he delivered 2 assists and scored 1 goal. His first in almost two years in the league. An eternity for the 30-year-old who savored this moment. “I wanted to score, it was something I wanted so badly. My teammates help me a lot. I am serene, I work well and I am happy. They were all happy that I played well today, already yesterday (last Friday, editor’s note) when they knew I was going to play, they were happy and that makes you understand that we are a good group. We are all working in the same direction and we must continue like this. The pass for Bisseck? I wanted to do it and I’m happy he scored. (…) For me, what happened today is very important, I will continue to work calmly to help the team.”
An unknown future
The Italian press was surprised by the image of the Corriere dello Sport. “Joaquin Correa was the big surprise in Inzaghi’s choices, after being the only striker to work at the training center during the break, and the Argentine did not betray expectations, repaying his coach’s choice with the goal that broke the deadlock. (…) Correa found the goal in a Serie A match. The last time was 756 days ago (end of October 2022).” An eternity. Which necessarily raises questions in Italy. Journalist for Tuttosport and the Corriere della SerraMichele Tossani, explained to us what we generally think of Joaquin Correa on the other side of the Alps. And according to him, it’s an enigma.
“In Italy, he is not highly regarded. But he has the trust of Simone Inzaghi and that is the thing that is most important to him. Inter fans don’t consider Correa a great player. I think he is still a good level player, but not top level. He is not considered here at the level of Lautaro Martinez or Marcus Thuram. His outing this weekend could allow him to relaunch his adventure in Milan or attract attention. “For the transfer window, perhaps. For Inter, there remains an alternative. But, with a lot of matches to play, he can perhaps get some playing time. The next few weeks will be decisive for Joaquin Correa, who will reach a turning point this winter, or at the latest this summer if he decides to stay at Inter in January.
