Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli has drawn criticism from some of the club’s supporters online after he was seen having dinner with several Inter Milan first-team players during their recent camp with the Italy national team.
Juventus Fans Angered by Locatelli’s Dinner with Inter Teammates
Following Italy’s 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in their World Cup play-off semi-final, the Azzurri squad was granted a night off. A group of players, including Locatelli, were photographed dining together at Ristorante Tullio in Florence, near Italy’s training base.
The gathering notably included a core of Inter players: Pio Esposito, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella, and Alessandro Bastoni. Also present were Juventus captain Locatelli and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who has been linked with a potential move to Inter.
The decision by Locatelli to share a meal and be photographed with players from Juventus’s fiercest rivals has ignited anger among a segment of Bianconeri fans on social media platforms.
Tensions between the two Italian giants have been particularly high in recent months, especially after a contentious Derby d’Italia in February. That match saw controversial moments, including Alessandro Bastoni avoiding punishment for simulation and an incorrect decision leading to the dismissal of a Juventus player.
One disgruntled Juventus supporter posted online: “Today’s Juventus perfectly represented by its captain. After tough seasons, he was regaining his place in the hearts of the fans. Then, you see him in a photo with ‘those’ guys who took you for a ride just one month ago.”
Another fan questioned, “What sort of a captain?” while a particularly harsh comment read: “And this is the captain of Juventus FC. Get out of here you piece of human s***.” Some fans even labeled Locatelli’s camaraderie with the Inter players as a “crime of friendship.”
Unsurprisingly, some Inter supporters seized the opportunity to mock their rivals, with comments such as “the worst player in the world surrounded by the strongest,” or a more playful “Welcome to Inter 2026-27, Locatelli.”
However, not all Juventus fans agreed with the strong reactions. Some felt that suggesting their captain was a “traitor” for dining with international teammates was absurd. One fan responded to the criticism, saying: “You know that supporters like you are the reason why we haven’t won anything for years.”
Another added: “It’s difficult to find a stupider post than this one, but there you have it. Another example of how part of the Juventus fanbase has sunk even lower in these recent years without victories.” An Inter fan humorously suggested: “Next time they’re in camp, he’ll only talk to Cambiaso and Gatti to improve the vibe in the dressing room. Poor Kean, though, he’ll end up talking to the walls given that he doesn’t have any teammates from Fiorentina.”