Alessandro Nesta gave a long and detailed interview on the podcast 'Passa dal BSMT' with Gianluca Gazzoli.
He revisited the career of one of the strongest central defenders in football history, highlighting his high points, including a long and successful period at Milan, a club he helped shape. Nesta spoke about many topics, focusing on his time at Milan: victories, defeats, Berlusconi, Ancelotti, Maldini, and other key figures. His statements follow.
On leaving Lazio:
"I didn’t want to leave Lazio. The year before Milan bought me, Real Madrid called, or sent a player to tell me 'You must play for Real Madrid,' and I replied 'I play for Lazio.' The next year I was forced to leave because we hadn’t been paid for eight months, not just us players, also the staff. The locker room was a mess, I knew I had to leave by the end of the season because they had already told me, and I realized it wasn’t working anymore. On the last day of the transfer window, Lazio tried to get as much money as possible from Milan, but I knew I had to go."
On the possibility of going to Inter before Milan:
"Before Milan, I was supposed to go to Juventus, but honestly I didn’t want to. Then Inter appeared, but after May 5th they disappeared, maybe they made other choices. After May 5th, when Inter lost the Scudetto and I was on the other side, it fell through. On the last day of the market, Milan came. I didn’t want to go to Milan because I was sure Inter would win the next year, but it worked out because we won the Champions League in my first year."
On arriving in Milan:
"I remember my first day at San Siro for a friendly. The head Milan supporter opened the car door and welcomed me. In Rome, during protests, you needed a battle helmet. I was surprised. I didn’t want to stay in the city, the first six months were bad because I missed everything."
On new teammates at Milan:
"I knew some from the national team, like Pirlo and Gattuso. The real impact was training. At Milan, training was faster than in Rome. Paolo Maldini went full speed in warm-ups, everyone did, and I was behind. I realized I had to match them. It was hard to adapt to the pace, seriousness, and competitiveness every day."
On playing with Paolo Maldini:
"It was a huge motivation. I had many teammates, but he was the only one who intimidated me. We even spent holidays together in Miami. Despite knowing him well, he still gives me that respect today. There was never internal rivalry, everyone knew we needed each other. When Paolo retired, I stayed a bit older and Thiago Silva arrived. Thankfully, because I couldn’t have lasted another three years otherwise. I helped Paolo, Paolo helped Baresi, and so on."
On Milan’s mentality with Berlusconi and Galliani:
"The club gives you that mentality. When the club is serious and clear, it is strict but supports you. Berlusconi and Galliani gave me any house I wanted and paid for it. They said I had to focus only on winning and training, everything else was their responsibility. But if you made mistakes, they crushed you."
On that Milan team:
"If we drew at home, even the gardeners looked at you badly. Everyone had a bonus if the team won, so not winning upset everyone. When we won, we shared bonuses ourselves. For example, winning the Champions League meant double salary, and we distributed it. We arrived at Milanello at 4 a.m. to recover, and the staff were still there. Everyone went in the same direction."
On the Manchester final against Juventus:
"I didn’t enjoy it, I preferred any other team but not an Italian one. Losing against Real Madrid is one thing, but Juventus or Inter stays in memory. My first Champions League final was stressful. I slept with Pirlo, who was also nervous, and thought if he’s nervous, it’s okay. Both teams were strong; ours had more talent, theirs more cohesion. It was tough but incredible."
On taking the penalty:
"I promised myself if a big moment came, I’d take it, like a penalty. I had never taken one in my career, maybe one in under-21. In the final, Pippo had taken off his boots, half-injured, and didn’t want to take it. I said 'I’ll take it.' I stepped up calmly. Buffon intimidated me, but I scored. Mentally, I overcame uncertainty from Roma-Lazio 5-1."
On Istanbul:
"Two big shocks affected my sleep: the final against Liverpool and Euro 2000 against France. We were 3-0, but Liverpool, with Gerrard, came back. In the second half, some said we celebrated, but we argued. Dudek saved a Shevchenko shot on the line. Some things in life are destined."
On locker room balance after the defeat:
"No. We argued with fans at the airport, Maldini spoke. There were harsh words. I stayed awake all night. Some cried, Gattuso wanted to quit, the coach was crushed. He was a key reference for us."
On how the team recovered, Nesta said:
"We were a strong group. We regrouped, set goals, and won. Against Liverpool, it felt destined. If you act arrogant when winning, the balance comes back. We won mentally from the bus."
The Milan derby or the Rome derby?
"Milan derby is better. Rome derby has tension you can’t sleep. I’ve never felt that pressure again. Milan derby was great; both strong teams, Champions League semi. Rome derby is deadly."
On Nedved missing Manchester final:
"I was glad he didn’t play. Pavel scores from impossible angles. Even if Del Piero stayed home, I slept better. Players are the core of this sport."
On Silvio Berlusconi:
"Great relationship. He remembered my family, cared about people, solved problems. At Milanello, he energized the place. He wanted to win and did. Technical advice? Yes, he gave set-piece strategies. Istanbul? He never said anything, always praised and valued style and behavior. He enjoyed victories calmly."
On Carlo Ancelotti:
"I want to be like him as a coach. He remains calm, maybe because he always wins. He absorbs all pressure without issues. The first year I met him, he came from Juventus, then won the Champions League in Manchester. He manages top players perfectly."
On Andrea Pirlo, Luka Modric, and other top players:
"Pirlo is unique. Modric looks small but is insane. Pirlo sees plays nobody else sees. All top players share humility. Some Serie C players act more important than Maldini or Pirlo."
On injuries, Nesta commented:
"I got injured a lot, had ten surgeries. From 1998, I broke my knee and couldn’t play 60 games. Every World Cup, I struggled. I played little in 2006 but felt capable mentally. After the World Cup, I avoided public appearances."
On Thiago Silva:
"I told him he would be stronger than me. He arrived after surviving tuberculosis in Moscow. Milan bought him, no one knew him. After two games, I told Galliani he was exceptional. He extended my career."
On today’s Milan:
"I like this Milan. Tare brought experience and focus. After Maldini left, Milan lost identity. I’d like Maldini to return. Milan and him belong together. Love will return."
