With two goals and an assist on the opening goal, Aruban-Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries emerged as the undisputed hero in a thrilling 3–3 draw between Inter Milan and Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal.
Prominent Italian newspapers hailed Dumfries’ performance, with Corriere della Sera calling him a “hurricane.” The outlet awarded him a rare score of 9—one of the highest ratings it gives.
What made his feat even more remarkable was that Dumfries had just returned from a 45-day injury layoff. Yet on the big stage in Barcelona, he delivered a sensational performance that helped offset the absence of Inter’s top scorer, Lautaro Martínez.
Another respected sports daily, Il Messaggero, called Dumfries’ return a “miracle,” noting that among all the team’s players, no analyst could have predicted such an explosive comeback.
In the Netherlands, the praise continued. De Volkskrant wrote: “On a field full of world-class players, Denzel Dumfries was the man of the match.”
His stellar performance has drawn admiration across the football world, even prompting messages and calls from former teammates who reached out to congratulate him.
