All is good once more in the world of Belgian football.
Less than a week after reportedly deciding he was unavailable for international selection after numerous omissions from manager Roberto Martinez, it looks like the Roma defender has made himself available once more.
Speaking to the Belgian website HLN, he admitted he was coaxed into not calling time on his international career by club colleagues at Roma.
I was thinking about saying goodbye to the national team, but then I talked to the director Monchi and I decided to make myself available again.
He told me, 'You have to play at the World Cup'. I’d like to do so, even if I start to fear that it’ll be difficult. I’d be so disappointed about missing a second World Cup in a row.
Nainggolan was not part of the squad that travelled to Brazil in 2014, but was an integral part in the squad at Euro 2016 where the team reached the quarter-finals.
The Roma midfielder, who has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs throughout his career, has never cemented his place in the Belgian side for a lengthy period of time. Despite making his debut in 2009, he has yet to reach 30 international caps.
A regular smoker, Nainggolan feels his lifestyle away from the pitch, could be holding him back under Martinez.
It’s always non-sporting things that leave me out of the national team. I’ve never hidden my lifestyle and I’m not ashamed or it.
I’m someone that always says what I think. My teammates know I don't creates problems, even though they can’t go against the Coach now.
Either way, one of football's quickest international retirements is over.
