“I have never had any doubts: I believe in this project and, most of all, I wanted to sign before the European tournament,” added the 27-year-old, who will seek to win a second continental title with Italy at Euro 2024.

Midfielder Barella is one of the few members of the Euro 2020-winning squad to be included in coach Luciano Spalletti’s plans for the Euro 2024, which starts in Germany on Friday.

He missed out on Italy’s first training session for the Euros on Tuesday due to a muscle problem he picked up in last weekend’s 1-0 friendly win against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

However, the Inter dynamo is expected to be in the starting XI when his country begin the defence of their crown against Albania on June 15.

Barella was one of Simone Inzaghi’s key players last season as Inter romped to the Serie A title with 94 points from 38 matches.

He joined the Milanese club in 2019 from boyhood club Cagliari, making 235 appearances and lifting two Scudettos and two Italian cups along the way.

© Agence France-Presse

Photo: Twitter @pythaginboots