The Inter striker scored the vital goal to beat AC Milan in the 94th minute, but speaking after the game he spoke about his team's upcoming game against Barcelona in the Champions League, making it clear he'd have liked to have come up against Lionel Messi.
Although Icardi is aware that Messi is a ''big loss' for his team, and it would have been more than a case of him against his countryman, Icardi bemoaned the fact that Messi is injured, because he always wants to play against the best players.
''It is pain that he can't play, because its great to play against the best players and he is the best in the world'', commented the hero of the Milan derby to the assembled media.
From a sporting point of view it is ''positive'' for Inter that Messi is out as the Argentinian superstar's absence affects them in every area of the game, putting the result more in the balance. ''We have the quality required to compete''.
In addition, he added that the victory in the derby had given them more confidence for the Champions League encounter: ''After this victory, maybe it'll be easier to face Barcelona. We are a strong team and we can compete with anyone.''