Tijjani Reijnders, AC Milan midfielder, was interviewed by the club’s official channels.
The former AZ Alkmaar player spoke about different topics, including the team and his family.
Here are his statements, as relayed via PianetaMilan:
On Milan:
"I now truly consider it home. For about a year, when we’re in the Netherlands and I tell my wife Marina to go home, I mean Milan. I feel very comfortable here. Friends and family can visit us easily since the flight is only an hour and a half. Life is good in Italy, especially the food. If I go downtown, of course there are fans who ask for photos, but it’s not something over the top."
On family, Reijnders said:
"My mother is Indonesian, and my father is Dutch. My brother, sister, and I are a mix. My son Xavién is an incredible mix because my wife is from Iraq. As a child, I was influenced by both Indonesian and Dutch cultures, which shaped who I am today. From Dutch culture, I’ve learned to stay grounded, and from the Indonesian side, I’ve learned to be very proud of what you do and achieve. I’m proud of my family and how my career is going. I always want more, and I don’t want to change that. You have to be yourself—that’s the most important thing, and it’s something we want to teach our son as well."
On his relationship with money:
"When I signed my first contract with AZ, my parents told me that if I wanted to, I could spend all the money. Money makes life easier, but in the end, the most important thing is being healthy and helping others. That’s why I chose to have my father as my agent in football, because I trust him to manage money and business matters."
Tijjani Reijnders worked at a supermarket in the past. He said the following about the experience:
"It was good for me. I worked with two of my best friends, and we had a lot of fun. But it was also eye-opening to see life with a regular job. It made me think differently about money and appreciate the beautiful life I have now."
On the differences between Italy and the Netherlands:
"In the Netherlands, people go out to dinner at 6 or 6:30 PM. Here, at that time, restaurants are closed, and the ones we want to go to only open after 7 PM. For us, with Xavién, it’s already late by then. In the Netherlands, we cut pasta; once at Milanello, I put chicken in pasta, and Florenzi told me that’s not normal here. I like driving; sometimes I’m driving alongside four or five other cars, and it feels like Mario Kart."
On his son, Xavién:
"Since he came into my life, everything has changed. Before, if I came home after losing a game, I would dwell on it. Now, I come home and forget a lot because I see him, and he’s the most important thing in the world. If he were to play football, I’d like to be his coach. Whatever he wants to do, the most important thing is that he has fun. I want him to have everything he needs. If he’s not feeling well, I’d rather be unwell in his place. What matters most to me is that he’s healthy and happy."
On the shirts he has exchanged:
"I have many, and others are in the Netherlands. I have the shirt of my best friend, Ehizibue from Udinese. We’re from the same town, played together, and he was my best man at my wedding. I have the shirts of the three Dutch players at Liverpool (van Dijk, Gakpo, and Gravenberch). I also have the shirts of Kimmich from Germany, Krunić from Bosnia, and Frimpong. I often exchange shirts with players I know. (Shows Dumfries’ Inter shirt) This is from the derby we won. I also have my brother’s shirt from PEC Zwolle."
On his brother Eliano Reijnders:
"He’s my best friend; we share everything and talk every day. He now plays for the Indonesian national team, and I’m very proud of him. Ever since we were kids, we’ve always played football together."
On other shirts, he said:
"I have Theo’s France shirt, Maignan’s gloves, and Mbappé’s PSG shirt. That game was incredible for the atmosphere at San Siro and the way we won. (Shows Giroud’s France shirt) This one is special because Oli made me feel welcome at Milan when I arrived. He helped me with advice on where to live in Milan. (Shows Chukwueze’s Nigeria shirt) This one is from Chukwu. Unfortunately, we haven’t faced each other with our national teams. When he joined Milan, my brother told me he’s a bit crazy because of his hairstyle."
