Mauro Icardi to Remain Inter Milan Captain: Latest Comments and Reaction

Mauro Icardi will remain captain of Inter Milan after meeting with the club's hierarchy on Monday afternoon following the release of his explosive autobiography. 

The Guardian's Paolo Bandini reported on the "incendiary remarks" Icardi made about Inter's Ultras in his new book, Sempre Avanti, but Sky Sport's Fabrizio Romano confirmed his armband was safe for now:

Previous manager Roberto Mancini gave Icardi Inter's captaincy, but it appears new boss Frank de Boer is willing to give the Argentinian a chance to prove his worth in the role following Monday's meeting.

The Curva Nord, the section of Inter's fans regarded as being the most dedicated, took umbrage with claims made by Icardi in his autobiography, although BT Sport's James Horncastle attested to some offering their support:

The Sun's Alvise Cagnazzo even reported that a move to Arsenal could be near after Icardi claimed in his book that he had "100 criminals from Argentina" covering his back following a run-in with an Ultra in 2015.

Siavoush Fallahi of Eurosport also provided a glimpse at a banner that fans had unveiled outside Icardi's abode, which read as a statement daring the player to take on his club's supporters:

The South American striker is a more youthful option to take on such a prestigious club's captaincy at just 23 years of age, having only joined the Nerazzurri from Serie A rivals Sampdoria in 2013.

Andrew Richardson of the Sun provided a transcript of an explosive statement from the Curva Nord, which questioned their star's status as the captain and even his presence at the San Siro:

"

Icardi, as far as we are concerned, you’re finished.

Why such filthy lies? We are horrified, that book is ridiculous and with regards to that incident there are only lies.

We merely ask for effort and honesty, while he depicts us as threatening figures who gravitate around the club asking for who knows what — so evidently something is wired wrong in his head.

An individual like this does not deserve the captain’s armband.

"

Per Football Italia, the Curva also said in a statement: "For us, as for everyone else—we hope—the captain of Internazionale should be a symbol. Experience, charisma, humility, integrity, intelligence... [Armando] Picchi, [Giacinto] Facchetti, [Sandro] Mazzola, [Beppe] Bergomi, [Javier] Zanetti. Basically, the opposite of Icardi."

They added: "Icardi is a closed chapter, we don’t want to talk about this anymore. HE IS NOT OUR CAPTAIN. HE IS NOT NOW, HE NEVER WILL BE."

Nevertheless, after seeing Icardi net six goals in eight Serie A appearances this season, it seems De Boer is willing to put up with the clear tensions for now in the hope his leader will continue to produce results.

Inter suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cagliari in their most recent outing, but Icardi took to Instagram on Monday following his appointment with the manager, hinting at his desire to remain in the captain's role:

Inter vice-president Zanetti counts Icardi among his compatriots, but even the club legend was forced to call his countryman's comments "wholly unacceptable," according to Richardson.

It seems as though the attacker will have a long road back to ensuring he sits in the supporters' good books at the San Siro, but his early form this season suggests he might have the talents to pull off a recovery.