The story of Hachim Mastour may be one of the greatest ‘What if?’ stories in recent history. The youngster seemed destined for greatness in the AC Milan youth ranks, but unfortunately, it never went that way for him.
The Moroccan midfielder was well spoken of during his time rising from a youngster to around the first team, and many believed that he could have become a staple in Milan’s side for years to come, but – the now 25-year-old – was never given the chance to debut.
He was sent on several loan spells, but unfortunately, he never reached the heights once imagined. Unfortunately, he will go down as one of the 2010s’ biggest wonder kids who never made it. He currently plays for Union Touarga, who compete in the top flight of Moroccan football.
Mastour spoke to SportBIBLE about his time with Milan and the falling out with Gattuso, and his words have been relayed by PianetaMilan.
Life since Milan
“Looking back I am happy with everything. Every step in life has led me to be the person I am today. God has a plan for everyone. We have to work and be patient because you never know when it might be your time. Life changes quickly.”
On the debut that never happened with Milan…
“It was my first game with Milan. Wearing that shirt for the first time was unique, a special feeling. You feel the greatness of the club on your skin and it’s beautiful. I felt like a superhero. I played that game with a smile on my face and it went well.
“I chose AC Milan because it was the project that convinced me the most and I tried to learn as much as possible. I got to train with champions and idols. It was a dream,” he said.
“There are no words to describe those moments. I had goose bumps as the bus headed towards the San Siro. Having my family in the stands and hearing my name shouted from the loudspeaker and the Curva Sud… I’ll never forget it.”
His relationship with Gattuso…
“It was all a misunderstanding. The first week he didn’t speak to me, he watched and then he called me into his office and complimented me on the seriousness of my work. I listened carefully to his advice.
“He talked to me a lot and I thanked him very much. Times have changed. Every era has its own process. At the time, it was unthinkable for a 15-year-old boy to make it to the first team, especially in a team like AC Milan, which had a squad of champions in every position.”
I wonder what would’ve happened if he’d had a proper coach…
Proper coach in a proper team in a proper sport that doesn’t move players around like (new metaphor) second hand cars….
nothing. its the kid how has no brains in the head, thats why he didnt make it
If Mastour was the exception then you could blame the player but not a single player from his primavera side became established in the first team, and the only players we have today are Gabbia, Calabria and Pobega – ironically none of whom are world beaters.
Milan seem amazing at producing FBs.
Abate, De Sciglio and Calabria. I think it tends to be an area that gets left alone on the transfer market.
You can almost forget about any attackers breaking through because the team will sign new attackers every transfer window.
It’s actually kind of understandable because attackers win matches but it does mean that any people shouldn’t raise their hopes for the current crop, including Camarda.
It’s hard to think of a striker who could be done more to justify his position than Cutrone when he outscored Kalinic, Silva and Higuain, and became a fan favourite, but they just had to move him on.
What’s happened since is neither here nor there. Once a player is removed from the system that raised him then anything can happen. Some will do well, but many will struggle. Cutrone has found form at Como, and I’ve started to watch out for them.
I’m not that far off giving up on Milan altogether and switching to Como. We’ll see what happens this summer. Conte will be hard for me. As I’ve said a few times, if the team keeps changing it makes supporting the team pointless. It’s like having a favourite bus when a different one comes every 5 minutes.
If it means the rest of us will no longer be subjected to your constant whining and negativity, please do jump to Como.
Yes because everyone else around here is roses.
The difference is I’m not negative about the players and manager, I’m more concerned about the system.
The Milan management at the time failed this young man and his colleagues, but they still got paid up for their failure to the club and these men!
Please have a look at where AC Milan are today and where they should be
Gattuso chased Locatelli away too