Emerson Royal has insisted that he has joined AC Milan to play regularly and to win things, while he also spoke about his upbringing in the favelas of Brazil and life away from football.
The 25-year-old right-back was pursued by Milan for much of the summer transfer window as the management aimed to give Paulo Fonseca a reinforcement in that area.
His official arrival was confirmed earlier in the week on a deal until June 2028 and we did a deep dive on the Brazilian yesterday, highlighting his strengths and weaknesses plus the key stats.
Emerson is the latest new signing to take part in the ‘Face-off’ series on Milan TV in which the player takes on the host in a game of table football, and his comments were relayed by PianetaMilan.
Tell us about your ‘win or win’ tattoo…
“For me it’s a very important phrase because as a child I lived in a favela and I only thought about winning. I had to win in my life to help my family, especially in football. When I step onto the field I always want to win, even if it’s just a little match with friends. I got this tattoo because it represents who I am.”
What do you remember about the favelas of São Paulo?
“There are people who have a lot of preconceptions, since you come from the favela you can’t make it. Many people think that in the favelas there are only bad things, but those negative things can be transformed into positive ones. It happened to me.
“As a child I had very little, there were shootings where I lived, this made me mature and I wanted to take my family away from there. I knew how to play football and I told my mother that I would play soccer and change her life.
“As I said, people thought it was impossible. I have always wanted to win. Now I can’t stay there for long, life changes but when I can I go and try to help the children and the foundations.”
Did you think of anyone in particular when you signed?
“In particular my son and my wife because they have changed my life and do everything to be close to me. I also have my mother and my brothers, but mainly I thought of my son and my wife.
“I have always dreamed of being a father, I love my son very much, I would like to always be with him. We have a connection that can’t be explained. My wife Stella also gives me a lot of love and gave me my son, who is called Claudio.”
What memories do you have of Milan?
“When I entered San Siro I felt a huge emotion because it is a beautiful stadium full of fans. Before the match I looked at the fans hoping to play for them one day. Now I am here at Milan and I want to experience that atmosphere again with the red and black shirt. I am here to make the difference.”
You have a passion for rap…
“I knew about Leao because I saw that he made good music and he likes to sing. I talked to him and told him that we should compose music together. I fell in love with music as a child and started composing samba pieces, then I composed rap. I have a studio at home in London, now I’m bringing it to Milan.”
Why did you choose number 22?
“Kakà’s number, who is a role model for us Brazilians and when I heard he wore that shirt I didn’t think twice and I chose it because I want to do well like him.”
Do you have other memories of Brazilians at Milan?
“The truth is that Milan for us Brazilians is like our team, a Brazilian team, that’s why I’ve always dreamed of playing here. How could I forget the magic of Ronaldinho, I watched a lot of Milan games because I liked him a lot.
“I know that the fans really like Brazilians, the club is very similar to the Brazilian ones so I have all the confidence of the team and the fans to do my job well.”
What are you grateful for?
“For everything. From the beginning, when I started playing football, I am grateful to God, I am a great believer. Sometimes in life there are things that make us feel bad, it happened to me last season at times, but now I find myself wearing the most glorious shirt in the world.”
Could knowing Portuguese help you settle with Fonseca and Leao?
“It can certainly help me express myself because I don’t speak Italian yet, but I have to learn it as soon as possible to speak with all the players. I’m made that way, I like to talk, make jokes, dance and do many things, so it’s necessary to speak the language of the country.”
What do you expect from Serie A?
“When I left Brazil to go to Spain I found a different type of football, in Spain football is more technical. In the Premier League, however, football is more physical.
“Now I arrive in Italy, where strategies are more important and football is more tactical. I think that the things I have learned elsewhere can help me here. I know it is a very difficult season but I come here to play and win.”
from favelas to being a millionaire playin for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Takes a lot of hard work to do that. Gotta respect the work people like him put in to get out of there
Good luck to you Emerson. I hope to see you flourish in Milan and make the fans happy.
Always follow your dreams