Inter Milan captain Mauro Icardi has responded to ultras who are demanding his sacking.

Fans are upset after Icardi, in his new book, claimed he became “a hero" to teammates after confronting ultras in 2015.

“Dear Curva Nord, I am surprised and disappointed," wrote Icardi.

“I am surprised because I simply referred to the fact I lost my temper in the heat of the moment, combined with the adrenaline of the match and the bad moment the team was going through.

“I simply wanted to sum up the atmosphere of that incident. It's true that in the book I spat out some exaggerated phrases (and the verb spat gives a good idea of how inopportune my reaction was).

“As for the issue of getting assassins from Argentina, as people continued to tell me that I would've found some hooligans under my house (note: not the Curva Nord members, but hooligans), I said that phrase. In the biography I also wrote that 'I used threatening words towards the fans and I shouldn't have done that.'

“I am disappointed. Disappointed with the chaos that has been brought up. I simply gave my recollection of an incident. If I had the slightest brain in my skull, I certainly wouldn't have risked offending the curva. I didn't want to offend or disrespect anyone.

“The captain's armband represents the realisation of my childhood dreams, the joy that I gave first of all to my family and then to myself.

“You are the ones who I look out for every Sunday after scoring a goal, it is your embrace I seek first, because I love Inter.

“Imminently I will step on to the field, so I can't go on any more. I hope you understood how important you are for me and how much respect and love I have for you, even if you decide to jeer me.

“I ask you just one thing as captain: stay close to Inter, as you always have done, because my teammates and I need you. With affection, Mauro."