On Milan TV, the "Homegrown" format returns, a special video series telling the stories of players who grew up at the club or are starting to blossom wearing the Rossoneri colors.
This time, it's Alex Jimenez’s turn.
Here's what he said:
"I started when I was very young. I was put into a small team in Madrid. When I was seven, I played in a youth tournament, and Real noticed me and signed me."
How many years were you in Real Madrid's academy?
"Eleven years."
During those years, was there someone who inspired you? You must have seen many great players come through. Jimenez replied:
"Training with the first team was an incredible moment. I saw so many players—Kroos, Militão really surprised me, Vinicius... So many, so many great players."
Tell us about Milan’s call.
"It was a difficult time at Real. My family and my agent told me that going elsewhere would be a positive step for me. When I realized that Milan wanted me, I immediately wanted to come. I love Milan; it will always be in my heart. They gave me a chance in the first team, they helped me understand the history of this club..."
What does Milan mean to you? How would you explain it to the fans?
"I can't put it into words. I love everything about Milan—the club, the fans..."
Your debut with the First Team under Stefano Pioli last season...
"I remember those as some of the best days of my life. I want to thank Mister Pioli for the trust he placed in me. It was an incredible emotion."
What was it like stepping onto the field against Cagliari? It was cold in Milan... Jimenez commented:
"I was on fire, even a little nervous. On the bus, I was feeling the nerves as I saw the crowd outside. I knew I was going to start. But then, when I stepped into the locker room, I told myself that I’ve been playing football for a long time and that I shouldn’t be so nervous. I ended up having a good game. I remember asking Theo for his shirt, and he gave it to me—he has always been my idol. I like him a lot."
Theo Hernandez also moved from Real Madrid to Milan—do you see a bit of yourself in him?
"A little, yes. He helps me a lot. When I do things wrong, he tells me to help me improve, but he also recognizes when I do well. He’s a top player and a top person."
You gave a lot to the Primavera team under Abate, played well, but then an injury made you miss that Milan-Real Madrid match…
"It still hurts a little... I wanted to play at 200%, I had been thinking about it for three weeks. It was important to me because those are the two clubs of my life. But life decided I wouldn’t play that match."
At the start of the season, Milan Futuro was launched…
"It was a great experience playing against older players. Mister Bonera helped me a lot because even last year, I had spoken with Pioli. Bonera speaks Spanish."
Milan Futuro was created precisely for development paths like yours…
"The truth is that from the start of the season, people were saying that Milan Futuro was designed to prepare players for the First Team. When you work hard and do things well, everything falls into place."
What was your relationship with Fonseca and Conceição?
"They gave me confidence—Fonseca first, by letting me play against Genoa in a difficult moment. It was a happy moment for me, but not for the club. Given the day it was and what it meant for the fans, we had to win. Then Conceição arrived with the Supercoppa. We were playing against Juventus, and he had just arrived, yet he put me in the starting lineup—I couldn’t believe it. I thought, 'How can he start me with all the players he has?' (laughs). But he immediately showed trust in me, and I thank him for that. I really like him as a coach, for how he works and who he is. When I do things wrong, he tells me. I'm the youngest, so I just have to listen and work."
Is there an image stuck in your mind from the Supercoppa win against Inter?
"The first thing that comes to mind is that near the end of the first half, it was 0-0, I made a bad pass, and we conceded a goal. Then, early in the second half, we conceded another goal, went 2-0 down, and the coach subbed me off. I understood—it wasn’t my best game. I cheered from the bench, I wanted to win… I felt awful. When we scored the first goal, I thought, ‘We’re going to win this, it’s ours.’ Then the second, and when the third came, I couldn’t believe it. I ran to Rafa—I think he changed the game a little (laughs)."
How was the transition to Italy? Did your parents follow you?
"I love my family. Since I moved from Madrid to Milan, they came with me—I wanted them to come with me. Sometimes I don’t tell them everything, maybe I should do that more."
Is playing for the Spanish national team your goal? Jimenez commented:
"I'm waiting for the right moment, but of course, I want to play for the national team. It’s my country—it would be a dream to play for Spain."
What advice would you give to kids who look up to you now that you’ve reached Milan’s First Team?
"I’d tell them not to overthink things. If you work hard every day, you can become a top-level player. Everything comes with hard work."
