Franck Kessié, AC Milan's midfielder who has shown that he is an important piece of coach Stefano Pioli's starting lineup, has granted an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Here are his words:
On why is he really called a president?
"Once I arrived at Milanello, I parked in Gazidis' spot. They told me it couldn't be done, I said 'What's the problem? I'm the new CEO of Milan."
On his spot at AC Milan as an important player:
"Well, Milan signed me, a sign that they saw something in me. But playing for Milan is not easy, and then a new coach arrived asking for things that needed to be understood. It took some time, not for just me. When a different technician arrives, it means that the moment is complicated. All the more reason we need to pay a lot of attention."
On his idol:
"This is easy. It is Yaya Touré."
On the match against Red Star:
"The 2-2 away tie is not bad. We could have done better, but there is still a comeback. Now, there is the match against Inter."
On his favourite derby:
"The one won with a goal from Cutrone at the last minute."
A player he would like to bring to Milan from a rival team:
"Nobody. All our players will be decisive."
On Ibrahimovic:
"From a technical point of view he is unsurpassed and as a companion he always gives you something more. He always puts his face to it, it doesn't often happen to find champions with this personality."
On the difficulty of the Scudetto race, are you worried?
"No. There are still many games to go. It seems that there are many difficulties, but we will win the derby and return to the top of the standings. We are a group that has grown through difficulties, we work hard and believe in the Scudetto. In Italy, everyone knows by now, you can win against the first and lose with the last in the standings."
On racism, did you see any of it in Ibra-Lukaku fight? Did you live the experience of racism in Italy?
"Actually, I did not feel uncomfortable."
If there is a penalty in the derby, who is shooting it?
"Ibrahimovic, and he will be happy with the outcome."
After your career, would you like to be the president of your country, the Ivory Coast, or of Milan?
"They both seem like difficult and demanding tasks. Let's see when my career ends."
On his relationship with George Weah, an African Milan legend who has become really a president of his country Liberia:
"He is an idol for many Africans. My idea is also his and that of many others I guess: always helping Africa, which needs support and infrastructure, but above all to make people understand the beauty of its culture. Africa makes you fall in love, even at first sight."
But there is a lot to do right now. How do you help your country?
"I think about the children who have to go to school and can't, I think about how to help hospitals function better. My relationship with Africa is one of affection but also a practical one. I try to do what I can to help. It is a large and rich continent, and I am not just talking about raw materials. Africa is a whole world and it is special."
