Mike Maignan has revealed that he actually became a goalkeeper by chance, and he likened playing for AC Milan at San Siro to being in a ‘gladiatorial arena’.
Maignan has being Milan’s starting goalkeeper for two years now with the exception of a couple of length injury lay-offs, and he has thus far succeeded in his task of making the fans forget about Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He is without doubt a candidate for the best goalkeeper in Serie A and probably the entirety of Europe too, having recently taken the gloves from Hugo Lloris after his retirement to become the No.1 for the French national team.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have done a long interview with Maignan about his beginnings as a player right up to his current spell with the Rossoneri.
Where are you spending your holidays?
“Part of my family vacations, often in locations around the Mediterranean. For several years, I’ve spent another part in Los Angeles, where I physically prepare for the following season.”
What is your ideal holiday?
“As long as I’m with my family and there’s sun, sea and tranquility, it’s fine for me.”
In this period, are you able to pick up on things that you are forced to neglect during the year due to lack of time? For example, a book, a hobby, or are you just a full-time dad?
“Being able to spend more time with the kids is important, but I’m already a full-time father all year round! Mostly I try to unplug, rest and recharge.”
The most beautiful place you have visited and the place of your dreams that you would like to visit?
“The most beautiful place… Let’s see, I’m torn between the island of Saona and Punta Cana, in the Caribbean, and Sardinia. As for my dream place, I love traveling the world, discovering unexpected places. If you have any recommendations I’m all ears.”
Sports starts and athletes are increasingly icons of style. What’s your style? Is fashion a passion?
“My style is versatile, I don’t like to be confined to one category. I feel at ease with both casual and urban clothing, as well as with a suit to attend an event. I wouldn’t say that fashion is my greatest passion, but it is something that fascinates me and to which I give importance.”
Can you tell us about the new collaboration with Missoni, the top player among ‘Made in Italy’ fashion brands?
“I was contacted by the brand early last year. There were several things I appreciated about their approach. First, they took me to the factories in Sumirago, in the province of Varese, where I was able to see the weaving and tailoring and talk to the seamstresses.
“I have great respect for their work, their mastery. The second thing I appreciated was meeting with Livio Proli, CEO of Missoni, and with the whole team with whom we share the same passion for sport.”
You have signed a capsule collection of the Sport line, Mike Maignan x Missoni: tracksuits, cardigans, sweatshirts with the iconic zig zag. Do you have any idea why they chose you?
“They explained to me that they chose me for my way of being and my values and that they would in no way try to modify or pilot my approach to collaboration. And it is for this reason that I find this collection very successful.
“I was able to take a pencil, draw and suggest ideas and suggestions. We exchanged opinions and after several months of work we are very satisfied with the result.”
In a few days it will be time for Milan again: thinking about the new season, are you worried or just curious?
“Never worried. There will be new challenges, new trials, and that’s what I love.”
For Milan fans you are Magic Mike: what is the match in which you felt truly magical?
“Every time I enter the pitch, it’s magical. The whole stadium, all the Rossoneri people behind me, the magic is created naturally. And then, the context of some matches makes it even more special.
“I’m thinking of two matches in particular. Last season [2021-22], the one played at home against Fiorentina. We were close to the Scudetto, but we didn’t have it yet and that match promised to be difficult.
“The fans escorted the bus, the enthusiasm was incredible, I heard all the stadium push behind me, it gave us wings, we felt invincible.
“The other game was the first leg against Napoli in this season’s Champions League. You could feel that AC Milan is the Champions League and San Siro lives for those moments.”
Mike Maignan vs Tottenham (A) @mmseize – a goalkeeper who plays like a regista, our LEADER. Decisive save in the 90th minute. 🦅
— Milan Comps 🏆 (@CompsACM) March 9, 2023
And as a child, what made you feel special?
“I’ve always been different, ahead of my generation, and this is thanks to my mentality, which gave me an advantage over others. I’ve never followed the others, I’ve always tried to think for myself.”
What do you mean by ‘mentality’?
“Ever since I was a child, I used to think, even with my back against the wall or faced with difficulties: ‘I’m not dead, I’m not dead!’. Thus, thank God, I became more and more mature.”
For your daughters you are magical because…?
“I’m Number One, dad is the strongest!”
Have you always wanted to be a goalkeeper or did you have posters of the great strikers in your bedroom?
“I started playing football at the age of 6-7. I was a striker or number 10, I didn’t want to go in goal… I ended up there by accident. So, as a kid, I alternated between the role of goalkeeper and that of outfield player.
“At the age of 12-13 I was offered the opportunity to take tests at Clairefontaine, the French national football academy. The coach who accompanied me to the tryout issued me a challenge: ‘If you get to the In the last selection round, you will remain goalkeeper’.
“Unfortunately or fortunately, that’s what happened! At the time, PSG was following me, and this convinced me to stay in goal. But I kept that desire to play later, to participate in the game.”
And if you weren’t a phenomenon in goal, what position would you like to play in today?
“Forward, number 9!”.
Did you have a role model among the goalkeepers of the past? Or, as a young man, a master who taught you something more than the others?
“As a child, I watched Edwin van Der Sar. But I soon became convinced that I had to be my role model.”
Three adjectives to define yourself off the pitch?
“Meticulous, protective and self-deprecating.”
Today, among your colleagues, who do you like in particular?
“I have a lot of respect for my colleagues. In particular for Manuel Neuer and for the contribution he has made to our role as goalkeeper.”
At Milan you have shown that you have a great personality also in the way you lead the defence. Even, from your goal, you suggest gestures to your team-mates how to position themselves on free-kicks from the edge of attack. Is this something you’ve always done or something you’ve developed over the last few years?
“For me it’s important to go beyond my function, my role isn’t limited to my penalty area, I talk a lot with my team-mates to predict the opponent’s moves. I’ve always had this mentality because I start from the assumption that it’s it’s good for the team. If I play a good game, but the team loses, I’ll never be satisfied.”
What childhood did you have?
“I had a fantastic childhood because even though we didn’t have much, my mother always did everything possible to make sure we didn’t miss anything. She educated us well.
“In addition, there was also ‘the street’, which was an integral part of my youth. I was confronted with many experiences and trials, which shaped me and still help me today.”
You said: I like talking to Pioli because he is someone who listens to other people’s ideas. Is there one of yours in particular that the coach has understood and put into practice?
“It’s between me and him.”
What is San Siro like seen from the door?
“It’s like entering a gladiatorial arena. We are energised by the spectators and ready to fight.”
And Milan? What have you seen, what do you like to do, which restaurants do you go to…
“I don’t experience the city’s nightlife much, but I like Milan and the good vibes of my Milanese home.”
Remember Acmilan we still need more on the attack like Noah Okafor as leao deputy then Jesper Lindstrom at no.10 then chukwueze
We need to make hi our captain. I think he is our #1 not only by number but with his leader qualities, Last seaons if he was not injured I am certain that we would have done much better, having someone like Tatarushanu in goal has an impact on the whole team (may as well put a primavera keeper or a player in there).
If I was the owner of Milan, this would be the only player that is absolutely not for sale, no matter how much I like Leao. For me he could be our Buffon
never practical to have a gk for a captain.. do you want mike to run through the whole field xy times a game to have a “debate” with the ref every game?
If he is a leader he is a leader, an arm band or not wont change that
You speak so much sense, God bless you
Welp there it is. Our search for a forward end here. Stick him up top and have Sportiello in goal lol