Joao Felix gave an interview to the microphones of La Gazzetta dello Sport on the sidelines of yesterday’s event at The Pitch-Football Store in Milan, where he met many Rossoneri fans. Here are the Portuguese player's words.
“Before the proposal arrived, I was watching Milan's matches and thinking that I would like to play in that shirt. Then when the offer came, everything became very easy: I told my agent (Jorge Mendes, ed.) to do everything possible for the deal to go through, and it went well. Along with Barcelona, Real Madrid, and a few others, Milan is in the elite of the most important clubs in the world. Wearing this shirt is different compared to wearing others. And when Milan comes calling, it's hard to say no.”
On Kaká:
"Everyone knows that Kaká was my role model. You wouldn’t believe how many of his videos I watched to learn his secrets… If I could ‘steal’ one quality from him, I would want his elegance. In the past, I met him in person and it was a great emotion, but since I’ve been in Milan I haven’t seen him. Maybe one day he’ll come to one of our matches and I’ll see him again.”
On debuting with a goal:
"I was very happy to have debuted with a goal at San Siro, in front of our fans. It was a very beautiful moment.”
On the limited playing time in recent weeks:
"I always do what’s needed for the team. I’m here to give my best, whether I play in defense, midfield, or attack. I train at my maximum and try to be ready when the coach needs me. The important thing is that we’re coming off two wins in a row, one of which was in the derby. The team is doing well and we want to continue like this until the end to crown the dream that we all have, which is to win the Coppa Italia. We have confidence and good feelings.”
On the relationship with Sergio Conceicao, Felix said:
“Good. I knew him before coming here, both as a coach and as a person. Ours is a normal relationship, like the one between a coach and a player.”
On missing Champions League qualification:
"Yes, because that was the club’s objective. Unfortunately, fourth place is far off and we probably won’t manage to reach it, but we still have to give our all in the last four matchdays of the league and above all win the Coppa Italia. We all want to finish this season in a great way. Europa League? It’s a goal to achieve because Milan must play in Europe. We all know that well and day by day we’re preparing for the final. But without forgetting that there are still two more matches before that and we want to do well already on Monday in Genoa.”
On Bologna:
"Tough, because we faced them in March in the league and lost at their home 2-1. They play good football and if you give them space, they can hurt you. We’ll have to prepare well and arrive on May 14th fully focused.”
On Rafael Leao:
"Rafa is an incredible player, and also a very good guy, a teammate who helps me a lot. It’s important to have someone like him in the team because on and off the field he’s always positive. And when he goes at opponents with the ball at his feet, it’s a spectacle. I knew him from youth levels in Portugal, when sometimes we faced each other, and then from the national team call-ups: he keeps growing and improving.”
On Theo Hernandez, Felix commented:
"In person, yes, but I had seen him on TV. What a left foot he has… He’s a fantastic person and I get along well with him off the field too. In general, I’m happy with the group I found at Milan: I was welcomed well in the locker room and everyone helped me from the very first day.”
