Adrien Rabiot, this afternoon, has given an interview in detail about his ambitions for his time at AC Milan and his relationship with Massimiliano Allegri.
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Since his arrival, Rabiot has been one of the biggest influences for Milan. Indeed, the fact that they lost the opening game, signed the Frenchman, and then have only lost one league game since is a telling factor.
In the summer, Allegri pleaded with the management to bring his former midfielder to the club, and it has certainly paid off in dividends. Indeed, if every Allegri signing has the same impact, the Rossoneri will look quite good.
The move in the summer was not simple, though. Many hurdles had to be leapt for things to happen, but eventually, a deal got over the line.
Rabiot speaks
This afternoon, Rabiot gave an in-depth interview to Rivista Undici, where he discussed a number of things, from Allegri to his aims, via MilanPress.
“I expected this kind of impact. I came to Milan for this reason: to help the team, to give my all. I’m not a selfish player, but someone who works for the group: I think of the collective’s well-being, both on and off the pitch.
“I feel like I’ve brought serenity to my teammates and also to the coach, who knows me and knows I’m reliable. I couldn’t have imagined the team would do so well. In a career, not everything can go smoothly.
“Sometimes bad things happen, but it’s precisely in these moments that you learn, that you gain strength. I’ve always faced everything, in football and in my personal life, with my mental strength.
“I think this is what represents me most: having this strength, this ability to stay on top of things, this desire to move forward and always wanting to do better. Self-confidence has always been a trait of my character.
“Over time, with experience, this confidence has grown more and more. This is something I want to convey here, at Milan. If we’re here, it means we’re strong, we have quality, and these are things we need to prove. That’s why it’s useful to try, to sometimes risk things, and to do that you need to have faith in yourself.
“I think players like Modric, Maignan, and even a new arrival like Füllkrug are essential to carrying the team forward, each in their own way. We knew Luka’s quality; I was amazed by the fact that he can run for ninety minutes, back and forth. At forty, that’s not something you can take for granted; he’s physically extraordinary. Even in things like this, you find serenity and confidence.
“Allegri has always remained the same, perhaps more calm. With him, there’s the ambition to do well, to give everything, to train 100%, and to play every match as if it were the last.
“Is Milan doing better with me on the pitch? I don’t think one player can change a team, but it’s true that he can make a certain contribution. The attitude of the younger players, it must be said, is impeccable, and that’s very important in a group.
“It’s great that everyone is following the same path, and that’s also thanks to the coach, who brings calm to the group, who makes us do things well, without rushing, without getting nervous.
“Role? It’s a matter of adaptation, understanding what the coach asks and doing it as best as possible. At the same time, I don’t lose my skills, what represents me; it’s important to bring all the aspects together; it’s something I think I do very well.
“I’ve never liked being a midfielder with only defensive or offensive skills; I’ve always enjoyed doing everything on the pitch: helping the team defend, then counterattacking, keeping the ball, demonstrating my technique with shots on goal and runs.
“I always try to train all of this, not just one single aspect. The more complete I am, the stronger I feel.
“Ibra has always been an example to me, and to everyone. Even just watching him, you learned: how to handle responsibilities, how to make decisions, how to be mentally strong.
“I’m happy to have him here again; I’ve always gotten along well with him: he has a certain personality that’s a bit like mine, we share the same ambition, the same desire to win, the same desire to never give up. He was a huge inspiration to me as a young man.
“I really enjoy playing football. I’ve been doing it since I was six, and it’s the thing I love most. It’s a passion that’s deep inside me, that drives me every morning. I want to keep winning; that’s why I play football: for the challenges, to push myself beyond limits.
“I want to write my name in the history of every team I’ve played for: I did it at PSG and Juventus, but unfortunately, I didn’t manage to do it at Marseille because I only stayed a year. Now I want to do it at AC Milan: it’s an important goal for me. And then I’ll think about the World Cup; winning it is the most beautiful goal in a footballer’s career.
“I’ve chosen to play football like this: staying very focused, leaving aside all distractions. I’m happy to be able to say I’m an example: I arrive at training every morning to improve, of doing things to the best of my ability, and afterwards I pay attention to treatment, therapy, nutrition, and sleep.
“These are all aspects that are part of this profession: training well and resting well. If you don’t rest, if you go out and about, you won’t have done everything you could.”