AC Milan winger Samu Castillejo has revealed the trigger behind the outpouring of emotion he showed at the end of the win over Hellas Verona.
Milan completed a fantastic turnaround in the second half having found themselves two goals down after a quick start from the visitors, who scored twice in the opening 30 minutes through Caprari and a Barak penalty.
Olivier Giroud’s header with just over 30 minutes left halved the deficit, and then an equaliser came from a penalty of Milan’s own before the winner came via an own-goal from Gunther. Castillejo had a hand in the comeback by winning the spot kick and crossing for the own-goal, and he was spotted crying after the game.
Samu Castillejo spoke to the microphones of Milan TV after the game about the victory and also about his tears at the end of the game, with MilanNews carrying his comments.
“My tears say it all for the time I’ve been through and I’m going through. I’m a guy who likes to leave his soul on the pitch. Thanks to my family, friends and god I managed. Yesterday my own mother didn’t even want me and today I can cheer with the fans at home,” he said.
“Sometimes it doesn’t depend on a single person but on many other things. I always put my heart and soul every time I played for this team. I’m happy for me and my family who have lived through this difficult period with me. I am very happy to have won this match and to have shown the great family that we are.
“I am surprised that I am physically well after a long time not playing. I like to work to be ready for the team. Today I helped the team and I am happy for these three points that keep us at the top of the standings.”
Speaking to Sky (via MilanNews) he added: “I was more going staying over the summer, but in the end I stayed. My attitude is always the same, I always train well and I aim to be ready. Today it went well and I’m happy with that.
“I have been here for several years. I arrived when Milan were ill, now we have managed to change everything. My team-mates are important, we are a family. Destiny keeps me tied to this shirt. My family is far away, it’s difficult for me. Today I gave everything and it went well.”
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