[Gli Autogol] Junior Messias: “Ibra once kicked me in the face. The first time I saw him we were eating together and he said ‘You don’t speak?’ and then he said ‘Bravo, bravo because you just work’. I never thought too far ahead. Then when I made the jump from D to B, I realised I could do it.”
AC Milan midfielder Junior Messias has admitted that he got emotional when Theo Hernandez put the Rossoneri 2-0 ahead against Atalanta.
Speaking during a long interview on the Gli Autogol Twitch channel (via Milan News), Messias opened up about his feelings during the 2-0 victory over Atalanta that could have been enough to clinch the Serie A title.
“I’ll tell you the truth, yesterday when Theo scored I got emotional. We’re very close to winning, it would really be a piece of history for a team like Milan, it’s a unique thing,” the Brazilian said.
He also pointed out the fact that the crowd at San Siro gave the team an extra boost of energy and excitement on Sunday: “I was focused and I went in quite calmly but with a lot of desire. When we arrived at the stadium, the fans gave us a great boost.”
It is a source of great pride for Messias that he is playing with Zlatan Ibrahimovic this season and he gave him the ultimate compliment.
“The strongest player I have played with is Zlatan, the strongest against was Cristiano Ronaldo,” Messias said.
Messias then revealed an unusual story about the Swede: “He once kicked me in the face. Yesterday he was charged up. The first time I saw him we were eating together and he said ‘You don’t speak?’ and then he said ‘Bravo, bravo because you just work’.
“The desire he has at 40 is impressive. With those who work and commit themselves he is very good, he always tries to help.”
His arrival in Italy
“When I arrived in Italy I started a delivery job and the company had a team: we did CSI and UISP tournaments. It was nice, at the weekend, after work, to go and have fun with friends. I used to run and score goals.”
His amateur career
“I never thought too far ahead: I always looked category by category. Then when I made the jump from D to B, I realised I could do it. In Eccellenza and D there are bad pitches and there is no Var, they can beat you easily.”
The call from AC Milan
“A dream come true: Milan is among the greatest teams in the world. A unique emotion after the path I’ve been on. It wasn’t an easy negotiation but when my agent told me there was this opportunity, I was surprised.”
The most active players in the dressing room
“For me it’s the Spanish guys who make a bit of a mess: [Samu] Castillejo, Theo [Hernandez] and Brahim [Diaz]. If I say that the coach puts on the worst music, he wouldn't let me play anymore: he listens to Italian music that is a bit romantic. [Alessandro] Florenzi is even worse but he puts the music on when everyone leaves.”
His goal against Atletico Madrid
“It was a difficult moment, I was coming back from injury. It was a really big emotion and a relief.”
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