Colombo explains ‘Hulk’ nickname from Zlatan and why Lecce loan is ‘fundamental’

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan loanee Lorenzo Colombo has shed more light on his ‘fundamental’ spell with Lecce so far, as well as how he got his nickname from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Milan decided to send Colombo out on another loan for the 2022-23 season, this time at Lecce after a season in Serie B with SPAL. The 20-year-old has three goals in Serie A so far this season against Napoli, Udinese and Sampdoria, plus one in the Coppa Italia against Cittadella.

La Gazzetta dello Sport (via MilanNews) are among the sources to report that Lecce have already decided to buy Colombo once his loan deal expires as there is a clause in the agreement that allows them to do so for €2.5m, but Milan will be able to and should exercise their buy-back option which has already been agreed at €3.5m.

Colombo spoke during an interview with local radio station RTL 102.5 today about how his loan spell is going so far and his aims for the future, with his comments relayed by our colleagues at SempreMilan.it.

The early days: “After a trial I was taken by Milan, I was the third of my year to be taken. 2020 marked my transition from the youth sector to the AC Milan first team.”

Loan experience: “If you see the loan as a lack of trust, you’ve got it all wrong. Best not to go there at that point. The loan is a growth opportunity that also helps you to get to know yourself better. For me, going on loan is essential to become the player in my head. If you’re at Milan and you’re facing players like Ibrahimovic it’s not easy to show off, so you have to try to be seen in other teams.”

The nickname Hulk given to him by Ibra: “Because I was always in the gym and I did a lot of weights. I have a fairly muscular physique and that’s why he called me that. Strength in football is fundamental for me, in today’s football, to be competitive, you must first of all be an athlete.”

His debut with Milan and the goal: “We were finishing up in the morning at Milanello, a doctor arrives and tells us that Ibrahimovic was positive for Covid. Pioli came to me and he told me that in the evening I would play in the starting line-up. I usually sleep after lunch, but I didn’t make it this time. After the goal, I wanted to break everything, too bad there weren’t any fans.”

The national team: “It’s my goal, my dream. I work every day to get to the national team as well. Representing your country, especially in a World Cup, means a lot. I hope so, but it’s all up to me.”

His idols: “My idol is Cristiano Ronaldo, for his mentality and attitude to work I see myself in him a lot. As a child they nicknamed me Batistuta because I had long hair and I shot hard.”

Tags AC Milan Lorenzo Colombo

2 Comments

  1. Bring “Hulk” back home for next season. He already has the body to compete with the older defenders, plus being around Giroud, he will learn movement and positioning around the box from one of the best at that.
    Send Lazetic on loan.
    Ibra will probably retire, and Giroud will be 37.
    Colombo will be more available and probably more productive than Origi anyway, plus he will give us another homegrown player for the UCL.
    His left foot us something else

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