The FIFA Club World Cup should have been a celebration for Inter Milan — a chance to showcase their European dominance on the global stage. Instead, it has quickly descended into a nightmare, and one player has become the lightning rod for fan outrage
The 35-year-old Armenian midfielder is under fire after what supporters are calling a “disgraceful” performance in Inter’s 1-1 draw against Monterrey. His name is now trending across social media for all the wrong reasons. Fans have turned on him brutally, labeling him the “worst player in the squad,” demanding his immediate exit from the club, and questioning why Cristian Chivu trusted him with such an important match.
This is not just about missed chances — it’s about shattered trust, fading legs, and a once-reliable veteran who, in the eyes of Inter fans, has become a liability at the worst possible time.
A Performance to Forget
Mkhitaryan was handed a surprise start by head coach Cristian Chivu, despite spending much of the season rotating in and out of the squad. The decision raised eyebrows, especially with Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Davide Frattesi available, but Chivu insisted pre-match that Mkhitaryan’s experience and creativity would be crucial against Monterrey’s high-energy midfield.
That gamble backfired spectacularly.
From the opening whistle, Mkhitaryan looked a step slow — struggling to track runners, failing to control the tempo, and misplacing simple passes in dangerous areas. But it was his finishing — or lack thereof — that sent the Inter faithful into complete meltdown.
In the 27th minute, with Inter leading 1-0, Mkhitaryan found himself one-on-one with Monterrey keeper Esteban Andrada after a brilliant through-ball from Federico Dimarco. With only the keeper to beat, Mkhitaryan hesitated, then shot tamely into Andrada’s legs.
But the moment that broke the camel’s back came in the 66th minute. Lautaro Martínez did all the hard work on the wing, dribbling past two defenders before squaring the ball across the box. The goal was gaping. Mkhitaryan was unmarked. And yet, somehow, he scuffed his shot wide from just six yards out.
That was it. The fans erupted online. And the fallout was immediate.
Social Media Explodes: “Get Him Out of My Club”
Within minutes of the final whistle, the words “Mkhitaryan OUT” and “WORST Player Inter” were trending in Italy. The reaction was as savage as it was swift.
Here’s just a sampling of the fan fury:
@Interismo97: “I don’t care how many years he’s played in Europe. Mkhitaryan is DONE. That miss? My nonna finishes that in her slippers.”
@NerazzurriElite: “Cristian Chivu should answer for starting Mkhitaryan. That performance was a disgrace. Our midfield was non-existent because of him.”
@CurvaNordSoul: “If Mkhitaryan is on the pitch again in this tournament, I’m done watching. This isn’t a retirement home.”
@InterFanTV: “Two sitters missed, endless turnovers, and no drive. This man is stealing minutes from players who CARE.”
Fan polls conducted on multiple Italian football platforms painted a grim picture. One Calciomercato poll showed that 81% of voters believed Mkhitaryan should be benched for the remainder of the tournament. Over 55% said they wanted him sold or released this summer.
The mood is toxic — and it’s not going away anytime soon.
Chivu’s Gamble Backfires
Cristian Chivu is now under intense scrutiny, and a major part of that is his faith in Mkhitaryan. The Armenian had been slowly phased out of the starting XI under Simone Inzaghi last season, used sparingly in high-stakes games due to his waning pace and inconsistent decision-making.
Chivu, however, saw Mkhitaryan as a bridge between the younger midfielders and the club’s experienced core. In training, Mkhitaryan reportedly remained professional, vocal, and determined to fight for minutes.
But match fitness and locker room presence are not the same thing — and Chivu’s decision to use him in a high-pressure Club World Cup match has backfired in dramatic fashion. The draw against Monterrey leaves Inter in a precarious position in the group, and Mkhitaryan’s missed chances could cost the club a place in the semi-finals.
Sources close to the squad have revealed that some players were “surprised” by Chivu’s starting XI, with whispers emerging that Frattesi and Kristjan Asllani were particularly disappointed to be left out.
If Chivu was hoping to show loyalty to a veteran, he now finds himself paying the price in both results and dressing room morale.
Time to Say Goodbye?
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s contract with Inter Milan expires next summer, and most assumed he’d be allowed to leave quietly, with thanks and dignity for his service.
But after this Monterrey performance, many fans — and even a few former players — are urging the club to act now.
Marco Materazzi, speaking on Sky Italia, didn’t mince words:
“We thank Mkhitaryan for what he’s given us, but football is cruel. When you reach a point where your legs don’t follow your brain, it’s time to bow out. That second miss tonight was inexcusable at this level.”
Alessandro Altobelli, Inter legend:
“He’s had a great career, but Inter needs to move forward. We have young midfielders hungry for minutes. Let’s not block their path for sentiment.”
There is already speculation that Inter may look to terminate Mkhitaryan’s deal early — or push him toward a January exit if a Middle Eastern or MLS club comes calling.
His wages, though moderate by top-tier standards, could be better used on a depth signing or to promote a Primavera player.
A Sad Ending for a Once-Respected Veteran
It’s easy to forget that just 18 months ago, Henrikh Mkhitaryan was playing an instrumental role in Inter’s midfield — covering ground, linking defense to attack, and popping up with key goals during the title run. He brought maturity and Champions League experience to a developing squad.
But football waits for no one.
Age catches up. Legs slow down. And a brutal miss in a high-profile tournament can change the narrative of a career overnight.
Inter fans — famously passionate and ruthlessly demanding — don’t just want wins. They want effort, hunger, and accountability. And right now, they see Mkhitaryan as a symbol of decline, not ambition.
Final Thoughts: Redemption or Exile?
The Monterrey match may have sealed Mkhitaryan’s fate at Inter. But in football, narratives change quickly. Should Chivu hand him a chance to redeem himself in the next match — unlikely as it seems — the Armenian would need nothing short of a heroic performance to win back the fans.
More realistically, Mkhitaryan has likely played his last meaningful match for Inter Milan. The crowd has turned. The media is circling. And Cristian Chivu, under immense pressure himself after storming out of his post-match interview, is unlikely to stick his neck out again.
The writing is on the wall.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s Inter story is over — and unfortunately, it’s ending not with applause, but with outrage.
