Cagliari midfielder Nainggolan: If I was at a big club, I would get called-up for Belgium

Cagliari midfielder Radja Nainggolan believes that playing for his current club is hurting his chances of featuring for his national team.

With Belgium having now qualified for the 2014 World Cup, Nainggolan is hoping that he will be a part of the squad that travels to Brazil, but says that being with the Isolani is not doing him any favours in that regard.

Via Football Italia:

“I am a little disappointed [not to be involved in the national team],” he toldGazet van Antwerpen.

“I hope the Coach will follow my performances and perhaps give me a chance in the next friendlies.

“I am not giving up hope. I will fight to get into the team 100 per cent. The national team is full of champions, but I think I deserve my place – maybe not as a starter but in the 23.

“Look at Kevin De Bruyne, he is sitting in the stands at Chelsea but is part of the national team. I have nothing against Kevin – that is just an example. Kevin is a winner and has done a great job.

“But it seems silly to me that you should be called up just because you play for a big club.

“If I’d have signed for Inter, people would have started talking about me for Belgium – but I’m exactly that same player at Cagliari.”

Nainggolan did not feature for manager Marc Wilmots during World Cup qualifying.

The 25-year-old has played just five times for Belgium, and will be in tough to crack a roster that already features the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Moussa Dembele and Axel Witsel in his position.