Dida believes that Mike Maignan can improve in all areas and is not yet the finished product, while he reflected on some of his more memorable moments with AC Milan.
He is best remembered for his ten-year spell with Milan from 2000 to 2010 during which he was widely regarded as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world. The accolades certainly helped his case too as he won the Champions League with the Rossoneri in 2003 against Juventus (when he was the hero in the penalty shootout) and in 2007 against Liverpool.
He made over 300 career appearances for Milan and he also earned 91 caps in eleven years with the Brazil national team. The 49-year-old returned to Milan as first the youth goalkeeping coach and then for the senior side.
Dida was present at the event called the Milan Games Week in which the Rossoneri were a participant through their eSports team. The former goalkeeper was interviewed on the official Milan channel with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
On the best striker he has faced: “There are many, like Vieri, Ibra, they are players who can solve a game.”
On the difficult moments: “It’s hard to say I was in difficulty, I’ve always been concentrated. If it happened, I thought in a positive way to help the team. I always wanted to be 100%.”
On the role of goalkeeper: “To do this profession we must have a lot of courage, so our madness is to face the man and jump. But it’s something I like to do.”
On his past with the Rossoneri: “I’ve had a wonderful history at Milan, I’ve won two Champions Leagues, a Scudetto. I’ve done a lot and I’m satisfied.”
On Maignan: “Mike is a friend and he came to Milan with the idea of winning, and he won straight away. He did everything to improve in training, and he really grew up.”
On what he can improve on: “He can grow a lot and on everything. He hadn’t done so much in terms of preparation, but Milan has everything they can make these guys grow.”
On the relationship with the Milan players: “Serginho was my friend, he lives here in Milan so we’re always together. We’ve had this friendship for almost 20 years.”
On the best save: “Against Ajax, I remember it so well, I even hurt myself. I did the best I could and tore a muscle in my back.”
