Sérgio Conceição, eldest son of the current AC Milan coach with the same name, currently a defender for Anorthosis in the Cypriot First Division, spoke exclusively to Diretta.it, also touching on his father:
What was it like growing up with the weight of the Conceição name and the impact of your family background?
“It was fantastic. My brothers and I grew up in an environment where we were never forced to do anything. The main problem was us, because there were always big arguments at dinner time since we just wanted to play football all day. Until dinner time, it was great. I remember that our parents never imposed anything on us, it always depended on us. We liked playing, and especially playing football. Nothing was imposed on us, things happened naturally because we always had a great passion for this sport. If you asked me and my brothers when we were little what we wanted to become, 100% of us would say ‘footballer.’ That’s what we always wanted. Now, whether you're born good or not, talented or not, that’s another story. However, I believe we have a family gene for football: each of us has more or less pronounced talent, but the important thing is that we love playing. And today, thank God, we all do what we love.”
More pressure or motivation?
“I’ve always felt a strong internal motivation to prove that I was good at what I did. Of course, there’s always pressure, that’s normal, but what predominated in me was the desire to prove that I was good at what I did. If you look at me and my brothers, we are all different, even within the family context. Francisco, for example, is left-footed and plays completely differently from my father. Moisés, on the other hand, plays in a position more similar to my father's and has some similarities. Rodrigo and I, instead, are central defenders, which makes us different. As much as people tried to make comparisons, there weren't many ways to compare us, but since we are the sons of who we are, it was natural for that to happen. However, for me and my brothers, it was always important to prove that we were good not because of who our father is, but through our own merit and what we actually did on the pitch. The pressure was there, but it was the motivation to prove our worth that pushed us forward. If we had succumbed to the pressure, it would have been difficult for any of us to reach a professional level.”
By the way, for those who are looking for more rush and thrilling moments beyond the football pitch, exploring the Benefits of Using FunId in Online Casinos can bring a fast, secure, and thrilling gaming experience right to your mobile device, mirroring the intensity of football’s highs and lows.
How do you assess your father's work at Milan?
“He has already won a title, and that alone puts his name in the club’s history. However, we’ll only be able to evaluate my father’s season at the end of the league. I hope everything ends well and that he achieves the goals he set for himself. Right now, we’re in a decisive phase in all leagues and it wouldn’t be fair to make a definitive assessment now. What I can say is that he has already made his mark with a title and that he’s working 24/7 to succeed at a giant of European football. I sincerely hope he achieves the success he deserves, not just because he’s my father, but for the effort and dedication he shows every day.”
He has had many successes in the past.
“Yes, he has. But in football, people forget very quickly. That’s part of the problem. It’s exactly what I said about pressure: what you did yesterday no longer matters, what counts is what you do today. That’s what defines big clubs and big decision-making moments. Basically, this constant adrenaline is what makes us feel truly alive and useful in our profession.”
In other words, no one wants to succeed at Milan more than he does, right?
“It’s impossible. In fact, I think it’s more than evident how hard he works and how committed he is. He does everything in his power to succeed and works tirelessly to achieve it.”
Your brother Francisco is also in Italy, at Juventus. How have you seen his growth?
“I’m obviously very happy for Francisco, as I am for Rodrigo and Moisés. But in particular, Francisco is having a great season at Juventus. It’s his first year in Italy, and we all know the Italian league is extremely competitive and difficult. The truth is that things are going very well for him. As a brother, I’m very happy. As you can imagine, I watch all the Milan, Juventus, Zurich and Anadia matches. For me, it’s sacred to follow those games.”
