Radja Nainggolan (born 4 May 1988) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Challenger Pro League club Lokeren-Temse.

Nicknamed Il Ninja,[4] he spent almost his entire professional career in Italy, representing Piacenza, Cagliari, Roma and Inter Milan.

[19] After making seven appearances (including being sent off a few minutes after entering the field on 28 February against Chievo),[20] the club announced it had acquired 50% of his rights in a co-ownership deal.

[25] His performances with the Rossoblu made him especially popular among their fans, who named him in a top 11 list comprising the best players in the history of the Sardinian club.

[42] He was named the league's MVP for November, with two long-range goals and three assists in three matches to help his team to reach fourth place.

[44] On 10 August 2021, Inter Milan announced that Nainggolan's contract with the club had been terminated by mutual consent;[45] four days later, the 33-year-old signed a two-year deal with Royal Antwerp.

[9] On 17 October 2022, Nainggolan was suspended indefinitely by Antwerp after being arrested for driving with an expired driver's licence and later smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench ahead of a 3–0 loss at Standard Liége.

[49] After weeks of speculation, on 30 January 2023 Nainggolan officially joined Italian second-tier club SPAL, coached by former Roma team-mate and friend Daniele De Rossi, on a free transfer, signing a five-month contract with an option for one more season in case of promotion.

[54] In late November 2023, Nainggolan agreed to a deal at Bhayangkara, being acquired in an effort from the side to avoid relegation from the Liga 1 by replacing several foreign players.

"[57] After failing to appear in the previous match against PSM Makassar,[58] Nainggolan made his debut as a substitute on 17 December in a 3–0 win over Persita Tangerang, his team's first in 17 league games.

[72] After featuring as a second-half substitute in the second game, a 3–0 defeat of the Republic of Ireland,[73] he returned to the starting XI against Sweden, scoring the game's only goal at the Stade de Nice after a counter-attack to send his country to the knockout stage as second;[74] in the quarter-finals, he netted from 25 metres to put his country ahead against Wales after 12 minutes, but in an eventual 3–1 loss.

[75] On 26 August 2017, aged 29, Nainggolan announced that he would be retiring from international football after not being selected for Belgium's upcoming World Cup qualifiers, and stated that he would be focusing on his club career with Roma.

[82][83][87][88][89][90][91][92][93][94] Due to his pace, stamina, tenacity and aggressive tackling, as well as his willingness and ability to chase down and press opponents off the ball, Nainggolan is also a good ball-winner, and has frequently been used in a box-to-box role;[81][82][83][87][95][96] he is also capable of playing as a winger.

[101] In addition to his footballing abilities, Nainggolan has also been praised for his leadership in the media,[102] although he has also drawn criticism for his difficult character and his involvement in several controversial incidents off the pitch.

[111] On New Year's Eve 2018, he became the subject of strong controversy in Italy after he posted a video on Instagram cursing, drinking alcohol and smoking.