AC Milan midfielder Tommaso Pobega has said that the Rossoneri fans are a driving force for the team and spoke about the feelings that come with losing a game.
Whilst at the ‘All the Colours of Sport’ event, Pobega spoke to the press and his comments were recorded by Milan News 24.
Pobega was asked about his relationship with the fans and he explained how important they are to the players.
“The fans are the driving force, a full San Siro is one of the most beautiful things there is. Every game we do everything to win and when we lose it hurts,” Pobega said.
Pobega differs from many footballers in that he continued with his schooling deep into his career, and he explained the thought process behind doing this.
“Very few manage to reach the goal of becoming a footballer. School, on the other hand, was the certain part, a plan b that I always tried to keep because in the event that things didn’t go well in football, at least I wouldn’t have directed my life solely in one context. This was the engine that drove me forward in my studies, in always giving importance to middle school, high school and university. Because you never stop learning, being curious, informing yourself,” Pobega said.
“The ones who taught me the most were my coaches when I was growing up. That’s the most important stage of a player’s growth.”
On what values football has taught him over the years, Pobega said: “In football and study there are many values, I put passion into everything. Everything together creates awareness and grows you as a person. Football also taught me the value of defeat and helped me to grow.”
Pobega had a number of loan spells away from Milan, a time when many assumed he would be sold and not get the chance to become a regular player for the Rossoneri.
For that reason, it was very special for him to make his debut last season against Udinese.
“I experienced an incredible emotion. After so many loan spells the time came to take the field against Udinese and I realised, OK, the moment had come,” he said.
On his idol: “I have a great passion for basketball and I am fond of LeBron James as a sports idol.”
On anxiety: “A little anxiety is always there but when you get on the pitch it’s your job to make it vanish, it becomes all adrenalin, the desire to run or to score goals.”
Keep improving Tomasso, we need players like you in this club. Believe in you! Be strong.
“The ones who taught me the most were my coaches when I was growing up. That’s the most important stage of a player’s growth.”
I bet he has learned zero things under Pioli’s coaching though. Unless you count the fact that Pioli’s decisions make zero sense.