The Rossoneri midfielder talks about himself from the France retreat: “Maybe Rafa doesn’t have the will or passion of Modric, but he has to ask himself what he wants because at 26 you’re no longer young. I was close to the Devil already last year: Ibra asked me why nothing happened”
Happy, mature, determined. With France as with Milan. He is the new Adrien Rabiot, back in Serie A after his spell in Marseille. And immediately protagonist with the new Rossoneri colours: “And after five years at Juventus – says the midfielder since his retirement from the Bleu – it is not a trivial thing to play for Milan. In Turin they were important years for my career, which I care a lot about. But I am happy to be back in Italy and at Milan, another legendary club. Here too there is a lot of passion. And we have a lot of ambition”.
How important was Allegri’s call?
“There has always been an excellent relationship with Allegri. We are similar, and I appreciate it very much on a human level. We called and wrote to each other often last season too. Then there had already been contact with Milan last year, but nothing had happened. This summer they came forward at the beginning of the summer and came back to work after the problem in Marseille. It was the right moment for everyone.”
Did you also talk about Milan before with your friend Maignan?
“Yes and he spoke very well about it to me. He was right.”
Is Allegri more determined than in your last year at Juventus?
“He has always been very determined. He is a winner. He is always hungry for victories and has a lot of passion. I like this, because I am like that too. I don’t think he is looking for revenge, because he is a coach who has won a lot and is respected in the world of football. I think he wants to show that he has the possibility of leading a team to victory. And if Milan have signed him it is because they know that he can do great things.”
Was it a sacrifice for you to give up the Champions League?
“I’ve thought about it. Last season I gave everything to bring Marseille back to the Champions League with the idea of playing in it. I could have signed for various clubs that compete in it, but Milan is a legendary club with great ambitions. Allegri is building a three-year project to return to the top, with the priority of returning to the Champions League immediately and doing the best this year in the league, which for me means fighting for the scudetto. We have the quality to do so.”
Does Max ask you to convey to Milan the mentality and determination that you had at Juventus?
“Allegri wanted me at Milan because he knows that I can pass on my experience to the younger players, putting in maximum effort in training and in matches, always with the desire to win. And other key players such as captain Maignan and Modric can do the same.”
Surprised by the forty-year-old Modric?
“I’m not surprised by his commitment and professionalism, otherwise he wouldn’t be at this level at his age. I’m surprised because at forty years old what he does isn’t taken for granted. He’s someone who continues to give everything in matches and in training. A true example for everyone.”
Rabiot like Modric: on the pitch until he’s 40?
“He’s an inspiration, but then it depends on different variables: his physique, injuries. Modric certainly has a great passion. And passion is the driving force for everything. And then he’s happy to continue training as hard as he can and playing.”
What is Leao missing to establish himself definitively?
“I know there’s a lot of talk about it. He’s a player who has potential, but at 26 you’re no longer young. At his age there’s no more time to waste. Time passes quickly. It would be a shame if he only remained a potentially great player. I hope he realizes he has the means to be able to compete with the strongest. But maybe he doesn’t have the will or passion of a Modric. Leao must ask himself where he wants to get to or if he’s satisfied with this, or if his goal is to become what he can be. For us it would be a shame, because it would be a waste if it didn’t express its full potential, and didn’t focus 100% on work. Allegri knows how to get the best out of players. I hope it has a positive impact on him too. Maybe it’s the right opportunity for Leao.”
And what do you think of Nkunku?
“He is an excellent player, effective in front of goal, technically strong, who goes deep and returns. Allegri is happy to have him. He is an additional offensive weapon that will count a lot in the fight for the scudetto. He arrived a little out of form, he needs some time to find it, but he has already shown interesting things in a department full of different profiles: Pulisic, Leao himself, and also Gimenez, who many criticise, but Santi is someone who gives 100% in training and matches. He has the right mentality, he just needs to unlock himself. In general, Milan is an excellent team, perhaps just a little short in defence, in case of injuries.”
Who fights for the championship?
“As usual, many teams. Seeing Roma so high is a bit of a surprise. Napoli remains the strongest. Inter are the Italians who have done best in Europe so far and, unlike us, they have the advantage of playing together for some time. It’s not a given to immediately create the right dynamic. Juve has quality, but less than Napoli or Inter, they still lack the championship chemistry. They will fight for the Champions League zone. We will certainly fight until the end and I hope to win the scudetto again, because we didn’t celebrate the one with Juventus worthily due to Covid. This time I would like to celebrate it with all the fans in the square.”
Meanwhile, the derby will take place on Sunday 23 November at San Siro.
“I like great matches. I can’t wait to play it, also because there will be precious points up for grabs for the standings. It’s part of those different matches, in terms of history and intensity, that every player wants to experience.”
Did Zlatan Ibrahimovic explain the Milan world to you?
“We saw each other often at Milanello. He’s happy that he’s at Milan because he knows what I can give. But he asked me why I didn’t come last season. I’m happy to work with him again, after the years together at PSG.”
Is France looking for revenge after the World Cup lost in Qatar?
“No rematch, that’s how it went. But we know that we have the opportunity and the quality to do at least as much as in Qatar, therefore go to the final. We all have the goal of winning and with this group we can expect to dream of playing in a new final. Putting another star on the shirt would be wonderful.”
It is also Deschamps’ last year as coach: do you have the same relationship with him as you have with Allegri?
“I’ve known the coach for some time, but we obviously see each other less. There’s a good relationship. And above all there’s a group of players he’s counting on. He’s also a winner and I think he wants to finish on a high note to leave a good memory. He transmits this desire to us.”
Italy, however, risks staying at home for the third time.
“It would be one less opponent, but a shame for the World Cup, football and the passion of the Italian fans. Even if it is no longer the Italy of Del Piero, Buffon, it is difficult to understand what is happening to the Azzurri, because they have no shortage of quality players. Maybe there is a lack of stability on the bench. Or it is a mental problem. After two missed World Cups, and the qualifiers started badly, pressure and doubts make everything more complicated.”
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