In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, former Rossoneri striker Jeremy Menez spoke about his spell at Milan, which began in 2014:
"After three years at PSG, I needed a new challenge. I remember Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva calling Galliani. Adriano came to Ibiza, where I was on holiday, and convinced me. The first year was incredible: 16 goals and four assists. The second, however, went badly. During a training session, I made a sprint uphill and felt an enormous pain in my back. I had already undergone surgery for a hernia at PSG, and that part of my body was causing me problems. I struggled to walk and was forced to undergo surgery. Once I returned, however, I was still in too much pain. In August, the doctor told me to undergo drug treatment and stay at home for four months. At first, I was limping, and I only returned in January."
What happened next when Montella arrived at Milan?
"We went on a training camp in America. In a friendly against Liverpool, he left me on the bench, and in the following training session I behaved as though I couldn't be bothered. He sent me away and I responded angrily. At the end of the training session, he called Galliani and told him to get rid of me. I was a hothead, and it was my fault. My character held me back, I admit it. I could have done much more. I played without thinking, instinctively. I wanted to have fun with the ball and, perhaps, that meant I did not manage my anger well."
How did you go from playing in the streets to professional football?
“In my group, there were older lads who saw me play, and I was much better than them. They recommended me to Sochaux and that’s how I joined their youth academy in 2001.”
PSG 2011-12: nine goals, 22 assists and… 14 yellow cards. An undisciplined genius?
“(He laughs) Yeah, my character came into play here too. I received most of those bookings for protesting. I was 24 and I still didn’t have the mindset of a seasoned professional. In fact, I still felt like a kid. I hated injustice and sometimes I lost control.”
And what was your relationship with money like? Menez said:
"My brother always managed everything. I was crazy about luxury cars. I never had any other vices."
Why didn’t you join Juventus?
"Simple. Conte wanted me in 2011, but then PSG called me, and PSG was my dream."
Even though your career could have started at Manchester United… Menez replied:
“After winning the Under-17 European Championship with France, Ferguson came to Paris to speak to my father. But I didn’t feel ready to move abroad; it was too early. So, in 2004, I signed for Sochaux.”
