Gennaro Gattuso admits he did consider retiring during recent struggles with an injury that has kept him sidelined for most of the season.
Gattuso was diagnosed with a rare eye condition that has taken months to overcome, but now back in training, the World Cup winner is keen to put it all behind him.
Gennaro Gattuso admits he did consider retiring during recent struggles with an injury that has kept him sidelined for most of the season.
Gattuso was diagnosed with a rare eye condition that has taken months to overcome, but now back in training, the World Cup winner is keen to put it all behind him.
“It has been my dream for a few months now, because I definitely miss football, more so than football misses me.
“In recent months I have suffered a lot and I thought I would never return, but now all that has seemed to have passed.
“I thought about retiring…but now who knows? This may have extended my career.
“I’ve been training with the squad for about 10 days, but I don’t believe I can play more than 25-30 minutes in a game. It is now down to the Coach.”
Gattuso also passed comment on the current atmosphere in the dressing room, following the midweek performance away to Arsenal.
“Yes we played a game short of our potential in London, but you must rest assured. The criticism I’m hearing will not distract us.
“Imagine the stick I’ve heard said after Istanbul and La Coruna, but when one sits on the Milan bench, we must accept everything. You are at a club with a glorious badge on its chest and we should not expect compliments when we get beaten by three goals at Arsenal!
“The important thing is to stay compact as a team. Today, I saw only smiles between us all, no-one was taking part in any fights.
“We must not fall into the traps set by the newspapers and TV…today I was reading about the argument between [Massimiliano] Allegri and Ibra. We are 30 players and we are comfortable.
“Ibra is hot headed and doesn’t like to lose, even in training.”