AC Milan's winger, Junior Messias, spoke to website 90min Italy for the 'Pitch Moments' format at Milanello. Here are his words:
"When I saw Milan's logo, I realized that I had arrived in the football that counts. I fell in love with Milan's players from the great Milan. When I arrived here, I met Ibra, a football legend, and I understood that things had changed."
On Ibrahimovic:
"We were sitting at the table eating, and he said to me, 'But you talk little? Good, you need to talk less and work more."
On his journey in football:
"I always say that my story was written with God's hand. At some point, I didn't believe it anymore. Instead, I started in Eccellenza and reached Serie A."
He added:
"In Brazil, you learn on the street with friends. We had a team of kids, and I trained with the older ones: I couldn't find space, and I told myself that football wasn't for me."
When did you find the strength to continue the dream?
"I spoke with the pastor of the Church and told him that I didn't want to play football anymore and only wanted to do God's things. From that moment on, all the doors opened: four days later, Ezio Rossi called me for a trial."
First goal in Serie B:
"It was a relief: in six months, I had played a high-level championship, but the goal didn't come. It was a relief and freed my soul. I ran to the staff because they told me every day that I would score", said Messias.
How does the locker room change from category to category:
"It changes a lot because when you play to save yourself or to stay in the category, it's different from when you play to win. The biggest jump was from Crotone to Milan: you start playing in a top championship and playing in the Champions League, every child's dream. There, ambitions changed completely."
On the Champions League goal against Atletico:
"That goal has an important meaning for me. I had doubts if I was up to Milan's level: that goal freed my mind a bit. When you arrive at Milan, there's always something that makes you think."
One of your Pitch Moments:
"A goal I scored with Gozzano, the first one, against a team that was a candidate to win the championship, Piacenza: I started from our area and went 70 meters with the ball at my feet, and at the limit, I saw the goalkeeper out and made a lob. One of the best goals of my career."
On the eve of the Serie A debut:
"Like all games. I always try to be focused, to think about what we practiced in training."
First time at San Siro:
"I remember it was a significant moment: I have a photo where I stopped at midfield and looked at the stands. Ronaldo the Phenomenon came to my mind. I never thought it could become my home. San Siro is one of the stadiums with a different atmosphere than others."
Messias on his first Serie A goal:
"I also thought there that I have arrived here and didn't have to wait six months like in Serie B."
On winning the Scudetto:
"I celebrated a lot the day we won the Scudetto, and in fact, the day after I couldn't get on the bus. The first thing I thought was that I had written one of the most important pages of my history. The Scudetto, Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world: I have done something in my life, I have something to tell my children, my grandchildren. Especially with the Milan shirt."
What ending would you like for your story:
"The World Cup with the national team. That would be the complete dream, but I know that I am a bit old now: the Selecao needs to renew and add young players. Every time I saw Ronaldo the Phenomenon, I stopped everything and went to watch him."
Messias with an advice for a young player in lower leagues:
"He must take step by step, sacrifice is needed: there is a lot to learn and grow mentally. A bit of God's gift and talent is also needed."
