5 minute read
Amid ongoing media speculation over whether Henrikh Mkhitaryan will extend his contract with Inter Milan, the midfielder told Armenpress that he is physically ready but did not provide further updates on a possible extension.
Inter Milan’s media team granted Armenpress correspondent Harutyun Tsatryan an exclusive opportunity to ask a few questions to Mkhitaryan at the post-match press conference following the Nerazzurri’s 0–1 defeat to Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League group stage, a rare opportunity for a non-broadcasting outlet.
Armenpress: Hello Henrikh. How are you feeling? It was a painful defeat, wasn't it…
Mkhitaryan: Hello. You can see how I'm feeling (smiles and points towards the journalists and cameras). How many questions have you planned for today? I won't be able to talk for long.
Armenpress: I promise I won't keep you here long. Let's try to limit it to three questions then. The first question relates to the Inter-Liverpool match. This was the first game in the starting lineup after your injury. You spent 80-plus minutes on the pitch. How are you feeling physically, and how are you adapting to the intense rhythm of the game?
Mkhitaryan: I feel good. Of course, I could feel better. It's true that the one month absence set me back physically, but in the last two games, I tried to get some minutes, to feel the rhythm of the game, play, and be able to strengthen myself physically (referring to the 45 minutes of the second half played in the away match against "Venezia" and the 20 minutes against "Como"). Today, I tried to help the team. Which wasn't easy because this was a very high-level match, and the tempo was also high. It's a little difficult to participate in a match like this immediately after an injury. Even in that situation, I tried to do everything within my power, help the team, and perform well. It's true, we shouldn't have lost today. I don't know where the referee took it from to award the penalty kick. There was no foul in that situation. But this is football, and we must look forward, prepare, try to change positively, and achieve better results in the future.
Armenpress: Henrikh, my next question is related to the Armenian version of your autobiography book. It is only available in Italian. When can the readers expect the Armenian version?
Mkhitaryan: It will be published in Armenian soon too. I can't say today when - a specific day and time - but the Armenian version will be released before February 2026. It will be definitely available to readers in Armenian. As it's said, for the Armenian audience too, I hope they will find it enjoyable as well. And it will be an educational book because young people can read it and learn a lot from it. They can learn not because it's my book, it's about me, but simply I show what kind of difficulties you have to go through to be able to reach your dream.
Armenpress: A quick clarification here: please don't count this as the 3rd question. Is it possible that the Armenian version of the autobiography will be launched on your birthday (January 21st)?
Mkhitaryan: No. We haven't planned anything like that. Nothing of the sort will happen.
Armenpress: My last question concerns your current contract (which was ending at the end of the current season, in June 2026). Do you recall that we spoke at the beginning of this year and you mentioned that it might be automatically extended for another season if you play a certain number of matches? What is the update?
Mkhitaryan: I don't have any news right now. I still have a contract in effect until the summer. There is still a long time until then. If the club management feels that it is time to talk about extending the contract, we will talk. If they feel there is no need to talk at all, then there is no new contract. At that time, we will understand what we can do.
Armenpress: But are you physically ready for another season...
Mkhitaryan: Physically I am ready, of course. This was the fifth question, wasn't it (smiles). Thank you.