"I'm in love with AC Milan. Now, it almost makes me cry to see AC Milan in this situation. There is a crisis of identity; a history needs to be rebuilt. History is important; without it there is no future. Milan has an important past that cannot be erased and therefore it will continue."
This was said by former Milan executive Ariedo Braida on the sidelines of a panel organised as part of the Serie A Festival taking place in Parma. Braida – now at Ravenna as vice-president – was general manager and sporting director of Milan during the Berlusconi era, working for the Rossoneri club between 1986 and 2013.
Speaking about the club’s current situation, Braida added:
"Sporting results are important, but there is this identity crisis where I do not see what one should see, what Milan has always been, where there was a huge reference point like Silvio Berlusconi, but also Adriano Galliani. Something is missing that must give Milan new momentum to restart."
Among the figures central to the rebuilding of the Rossoneri is Zlatan Ibrahimović, a near-unsolvable puzzle at today’s Milan, as explained in Calcio e Finanza’s editorial over the weekend. Braida spoke about the Swede’s role as follows: "Ibrahimović’s greatness as a champion is beyond question, but he too must have the humility to learn."
When asked about Rafael Leão and the Portuguese forward’s future, the former Milan executive replied: "I do not want to replace those who hold responsibility. Leao has extremely important qualities; it is clear that if you do not express them on the pitch, everything is in vain. Players of great quality are hard to find today; he has them, but sometimes they are not enough."
In closing, on the gap between Milan’s current ownership and Paolo Maldini after his departure in 2023, Braida added: "The Maldinis, starting with the father, have written Milan’s history. Both the father and Paolo have won, and you cannot avoid starting from history.”
