Leonardo Bonucci admits playing in a Milan shirt feels “a little strange for me” following his move from Juventus.
In one of the most shocking transfers in recent memory, the defender swapped Juventus Stadium for San Siro this month, in a €42m transfer.
“It’s a little strange for me to see myself with this badge and these colours,” Bonucci admitted, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Leonardo Bonucci admits playing in a Milan shirt feels “a little strange for me” following his move from Juventus.
In one of the most shocking transfers in recent memory, the defender swapped Juventus Stadium for San Siro this month, in a €42m transfer.
“It’s a little strange for me to see myself with this badge and these colours,” Bonucci admitted, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.
“However, I’m someone who gives everything and more for the shirt he wears. I’m someone who will go onto the pitch even when I’m not feeling good, if that’s what’s needed.
“I did it for Bari, Juve and the national team. And I’ll do it for Milan too.
“The approach from Milan was intense, Juve made me very important but I’m turning a new page with the same ambitions.
“I want to make this club great, along with my teammates. Milan deserve better in both Italy and in Europe: in a nutshell they deserve to climb back up.
“The club has made big investments on the transfer market thanks to the long-term vision of [Marco] Fassone and [Massimiliano] Mirabelli. Now it’s up to us to increase the fans’ enthusiasm with wins.
“I live for challenges and this is a fascinating one, it’s a bet on myself. I was questioned, and I don’t know how many people would do this at 30.
“For me hunger is crucial, it gives you something more when you’re lacking strength. I’ve wed myself to an ambitious project, and I’ll now make my experience available.
“I see a Milan that is very enthusiastic and willing to sacrifice. The secret lies in the hunger of the group.
“The club has to cancel out moments which were not very exciting, such as in recent seasons, with a really good year.
“I was greeted very well, now we have to find the right keys to integrate the team. We’re starting here with the preliminary rounds of the Europa League, just as I did at Juventus: hopefully it’s a good omen.”
Bonucci mentioned the history of the Diavolo after signing, and he explained his motivation for those words.
“Of course, because when I was little I was fascinated by the Rossoneri legends. Players like [Paolo] Maldini, [Alessandro] Nesta… Nesta was my idol when I first started playing football.
“Can Alessio Romagnoli and I be the new Nesta and Thiago Silva? That sounds good, hopefully i can make myself available and people can explain to me the world of Milan, because it’s different to the Juve world.
“Six years of wins at Juve made me a leader, but here I’m on tiptoes. The team can rely on my experience, and to my teammates I say nothing is impossible.”
The centre-back has two sons, one of whom supports Torino and the other Juventus…
“They’ll stay as they are: free,” Bonucci shrugged.
“The older one is a very convinced fan of Toro, he won’t take anything Granata out of his bedroom.
“Maybe moving to Milan will change his faith though…”
image via acmilan.com