19-year-old Serbian centre-back, Jan-Carlo Simic, spoke about the start of his career and his experience at AC Milan before leaving to Belgium to play for Anderlecht.
Here is the full interview:
"I was 17, in Stuttgart, the phone rang. My father looked at me strangely. I asked him who it was, and he replied that on the other end… it was Milan. It was unbelievable. Maldini, you understand? I grew up watching his videos and his plays. I still get goosebumps," he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
On Anderlecht, he said:
“Here there is pure talent: Verschaeren, Leoni, Stroeykens, Dolberg, Hazard... In another life, I would have liked to be a lawyer… In Brussels, I live a quiet life. My parents and sister are here. When I'm not training, I try to improve my French. I'd like to start studying, we’ll see. For now, I'm enjoying Anderlecht and the city. I’m happy, I’m having fun, though Milan… Milan is something else.”
Do you miss Italy?
“Not really. I still follow the Rossoneri, of course, but here, I feel great.”
Why did you choose Anderlecht?
“In January 2024, many clubs from Serie A and foreign leagues were after me. And the same in the summer. I won’t name names, but they were all important. When I saw Anderlecht’s project, however, I didn’t hesitate. Here, I play every game and am one of the starters on a young team. Everything is designed to become even stronger.”
Be honest: leaving Milan wasn’t easy, was it? Simic replied:
“Of course, and who would deny it? The first time I set foot at Milanello, I was 17. When Maldini called me, I didn’t want to believe it. It was a dream, an emotion. Imagine a teenager getting a call from a legend while on an exercise bike. But I have no regrets about saying goodbye. There’s a project for me here.”
Milan didn’t have one?
“I don’t know. What I can say is that Anderlecht is an incredible club that keeps its promises. After scoring at Monza, I had offers from half of Serie A. I never had other options for my career: it was either a top-tier league or nothing.”
Didn’t you see yourself in Milan’s Futuro?
“I only said what I believed, and I reiterate: there were no options other than Serie A. It was never a money issue. They wrote a lot of nonsense about the contract, write that down. They said I wanted more money, that I wanted to play from the start. All false. I could have been part of the four center-backs, but I never made demands.”
Will the Rossoneri regret letting you go?
“I don’t think about it. I live in the present," said Simic.
But let’s indulge in a moment of nostalgia: Milan-Monza, your debut and a goal under the Curva Sud...
“The perfect day. I came in, found my spot, and scored in front of sixty thousand Milan fans. You know, as a kid, I used to play as a forward, so that goal brought a piece of my old life back. My parents, moved to tears, were in the stands. They and my sister will always have my gratitude.”
How did you celebrate? Simic replied:
“I brought pastries to Milanello.”
And what did your teammates say?
“Kjaer and Florenzi, my guardian angels, were happier than I was, while Giroud put a hand on my shoulder and said, ‘Carlo, what on earth did you just do?’ Same with Leao. He ran his hands through his hair, smiled, and whispered the same words as Olivier.”
Who did you bond with the most?
“Jovic, my best friend, and Rafa. All thanks to a foul.”
Tell us about it...
“I had been training with the first team for a couple of weeks; it was my first year. During a match, I tackled Rafa roughly. He got up and said something to me in Italian. I didn’t understand at the time, so I laughed. He didn’t take it well, but we cleared things up later.”
Do you think Rafael Leao could win the Ballon d’Or? Simic answered:
“Yes. He’s a phenomenon. His skills speak for him. When I left, he told me he’d always be there for me.”
And what about your relationship with Stefano Pioli?
“Good. Last summer, during the U.S. tour, he had me start against Real Madrid—Bellingham, Modric, Vinicius. I was 18. Zeroli, Bartesaghi, and I were having breakfast, and he came over to our table. ‘Carlo, get ready. You’re playing today.’ I laughed, but he didn’t. ‘Why are you laughing? I’m serious.’”
Were you nervous?
“Yes. I talked to my parents the whole day, but I managed…”
After Monza, Stefano Pioli used you very little. Why? Simic said:
“You’d have to ask him. I was always available. No complaints, to be clear: I’m happy with the minutes I got.”
And what memories do you have of Ignazio Abate?
“He showed me what football is in Italy. He made me a better man and a better player. He always had high expectations of me and expected even more. Every time I played a great game, he’d say I could have done better. He was relentless.”
Two record seasons with the youth team: what was the secret?
“Talent and hunger. We reached a Youth League semi-final and a final. The team was strong, and Abate was a great mentor. He taught me how to defend the goal and how to be the first to arrive at the training ground. We had a little bet.”
Can you tell us about this bet?
“Training was at 10, but he arrived at 7:30. One day, I showed up at 7 and proudly waited for him on the field. I carry him in my heart, just like all of Milan and the youth sector.”
Simic, how far can Francesco Camarda go?
“I mentored him. He can become a great striker.”
Maybe one day you’ll mark Francesco Camarda in a Serbia-Italy game…
“That would be nice, I won’t deny it. I don’t know where life will take us, but I’ve always given him advice. As a defender, in training, I’d tell him how to move so he wouldn’t get anticipated by tough center-backs like me. He has to keep working hard and stay humble.”
Are there other strong young Rossoneri players who don’t get talked about as much?
“I’d say Liberali, Scotti, Sia, and Stalmach.”
And where do you see yourself in a few years?
“I’d like to lift a trophy with Anderlecht, but my dream is to win the Champions League. So, I’ll just keep on running.”
