AC Milan defender Simon Kjaer has admitted that he would like to end his career at the club but he does not intend to stop playing yet.
Speaking during an interview with the Danish media (via Milan News) ahead of the Champions League semi-final against Inter, the Danish defender was predominantly asked about injuries and his future.
Kjaer suffered a serious knee injury when he was a key player for the Rossoneri and he is still trying to work his way back into a starting place ahead of either Fikayo Tomori or Pierre Kalulu.
He explained that it takes a lot of hard work: “It’s in the work I do every day, and then obviously the matches also have an influence, because it depends on how well you play, that’s where they measure you, but I don’t think the club has any doubts about my attitude. They can see how professional I am, they can see how much I care, and I’ve also tried too hard to say that I’m thinking many years in the future.”
Kjaer is now 34 years old and given he had such a serious injury, some have begun to wonder how long he will be playing football for. He does not see why he should stop yet.
“As I said the last time I was injured, it was at the strangest time in my career. But at this point I don’t see why I should stop in the near future, when I see that there is always a lot to gain,” he said.
“So it is a myth that you are old. At 34 it’s not true that you are old. It is only in your head. When you are old, it’s only in your head – because the body is still fine and I feel good, so I still have many years in football. Even at the highest level, so I’m not going to stop anytime soon.”
His contract with Milan runs out in June 2024 but he would certainly like to renew, saying: “Yes, I hope so. There are two sides, a coach and many things that come into play. But I will definitely play my part. This is where I want to finish, it’s the club I’ve always dreamed of finishing at. So I also hope to finish here, but not anytime soon.”
“So it is a myth that you are old. At 34 it’s not true that you are old. It is only in your head. When you are old, it’s only in your head – because the body is still fine and I feel good, so I still have many years in football. Even at the highest level, so I’m not going to stop anytime soon.”
So… Who is right, Kjaer or the teenagers here who have aaaaaaaaaaall the knowledge in the world and keep saying “Kjaer is too old.”? I think the answer is pretty obvious.
Our great Dane. His mentality alone could cost 30 mil in this current inflated transfer market. One of the most brilliant transfer moves by Milan this last few years.
Indeed.