“Of course I’ve been very lucky in my life to wear the shirt of such a successful and prestigious club. I’ve always been a Milan supporter, and during my career Milan gave me all the opportunities to realize my dreams.”
“If my height was an advantage or hindrance?
Absolutely an advantage. I never felt it was a hindrance and or felt inferior. My secret was trusting in our team’s way of playing; we didn’t leave our opponents, taking advantage of high balls. Our good, solid organisation made this possible.”
“If I had a friendly rivaly with my brother?
Yes, we had a friendly rivalry, never an angry one. Most of all, our rivalry was twice a year, especially during Derby days.
We always got along off the pitch. As he’s older than me, he has always been an incentive for me; he helped me lots, especially during my early years developing as a player.”
“Who were my footballing idols as a kid? As I’ve always been a very big Milan fan, I must say Gianni Rivera, Pierino Prati or Karl-Heinz Schnellinger. They were amazing players. I had admiration also for Gigi Riva, Sandro Mazzola and Roberto Boninsegna – idols of the Italian National team of that time.”
“I was young (18) when I won my first Scudetto but in that season everything went very well for me. I was considered a promising young football player, and I was imposing myself in a role on the pitch very delicate for my age. I used to feel a bit of pressure, but it was always very productive, not negative at all.”
“If I ever thought about leaving Milan? Never! In early 80’s the club had some financial problems but I always wished it could carry on and be back at the top of world football. Now I can say I was right!”
“How I felt when I missed the penalty against Brazil in the World Cup final in 1994?
“I didn’t feel good at all, for sure! The entire world was looking at me, watching me in that very moment. I was so disappointed and there was a huge sadness in all of us.
In Los Angeles, I played my best match in the whole of the World Cup after recovering from an injury. Nevertheless, I can remember all the good things we did to reach the final. We were a special group of big players and good people.”
Part 2 of the interview with Franco Baresi.
“If Arrigo Sacchi is the best manager that I have had? Arrigo Sacchi was the one who changed football in Italy. He was such a revolutionary man for that time, changing mentality and bringing in new ideas.
Arrigo Sacchi is absolutely one of the most important protagonists in Milan’s history.”
“I believe that the signing of Mario Balotelli means a lot in this new strategy of the club.
Milan has chosen a new road – many top players left the club last season, and young players now have the chance to show their skills. I believe that with Balotelli, El Shaarawy, De Sciglio and the other promising young players, Milan are back on the right track.”
“How important it is for Milan to exert its dominance on the European stage once more?
I think it’s very important. In the last 27 years, Milan won a lot of international trophies.
We had different cycles, series with different trainers and players, but always with the same ambition and goal to be dominant in Europe and in the whole world. It will be the same in the future too.”
“If I had to mention a top 11 of players who I played with?
During my career I played with a lot of top players. Let me try: Sebastiano Rossi, Mauro Tassotti, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta, Roberto Donadoni, Frank Rijkaard, Zvonimir Boban, Ruud Gullit, Dejan Savićević and George Weah… And many more! It’s impossible to choose only 11 players!”
“Who I think was the best libero of all time?
Franz Beckenbauer”, concluded Franco Baresi.
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