Samuele Ricci spoke to the media in a press conference today as he presented himself.
Here are his words:
"This is the best moment of my career. Torino gave me a lot, and I even made a thank-you post. But now I've made a choice and taken an important step—I'm at Milan, a club with a great history and global prestige. I'm here to repay the trust that the whole club has placed in me, and I’ll do my best to honor that."
What was the impact like with Massimiliano Allegri?
"It was super positive. Obviously, he's an excellent coach, one of the most successful. The good thing is he's always very cheerful—like we Tuscans, he always has a quick joke. We get along really well."
Do you feel a sense of responsibility as an Italian? Have you spoken to any teammates?
"I had spoken with Matteo Gabbia, and he explained everything about the club and the locker room. He spoke very highly of it. As soon as I arrived, I noticed that it feels like one big family, where everyone pulls in the same direction to help us perform well and feel good."
How did you handle this long-standing interest from Milan?
"I think that in a player's career—especially when you're young—if you're doing well, you're always linked with big clubs. It happened to me in the past when I was at Empoli. These are just rumors, they’re nice to hear but shouldn’t throw you off. Once it became reality, I have to say it felt very different—especially when I didn’t think it would happen. Anyone who knows me knows I didn’t hesitate even for a second to choose Milan. I’ll try to repay the trust both on and off the field."
Were you curious to meet any new teammates?
"Probably Leao the most. When you face him as an opponent, you can see he has something more than the others. But when you meet him in person, you realize that all the rumors about him aren't true—he’s super chill and a really good guy."
Were you a Milan fan as a kid? Ricci said:
"I expected this question. Milan is one of the most successful clubs in the world. Since I was little, I’ve always followed them and admired their players. I can’t say I didn’t know them—I knew and still know almost all the players who were part of this great family. Now I’m part of it, and I recognize the importance of this club. I’ll try to give everything."
Have you talked with Allegri about your position?
"We haven’t had a proper discussion, but personally, I feel most comfortable playing as a defensive midfielder in a three-man midfield. But if the coach asks me to play full-back, I’ll play full-back."
Isn’t the number 4 a bit heavy? And with Reijnders gone—who scored 10 goals—where will those goals come from?
"It’s definitely a demanding number, especially at a club like this. Many champions have worn it. For me, it reflects who I am—how I behave, my personality. It’s a big responsibility, but I’ll do my best to prove I'm up to it. I care a lot. As for the goals… What can I say? (laughs) Tijjani and I have very different characteristics. He had a great season and is considered one of the best midfielders in the world. But I’m me—I don’t like comparisons. Maybe I won’t score 10 goals, but I’m here to contribute to the team."
Ricci, how important could Milan be for your growth with the senior national team?
"I think Milan could be fundamental for my journey with the Azzurri. It’s the right place to improve and grow. I’m aware of the challenges ahead. Making a big step forward means training with top-level players, and competition increases. It’s part of a football career. I’ve already spoken with coach Gattuso—we had a quick chat on the phone, and I really appreciated it."
Is it possible to play without a defensive midfielder? Are you ready for that role?
"So far, I’ve always played there… although I’ve covered other positions too. I prefer having possession, touching the ball as much as possible. From what I was at Empoli to what I became at Torino, I think I’ve improved a lot in the non-possession phase. I still need to learn more on the defensive side, and I think Allegri will help me—he’s a master at that."
You’ll be playing with Luka Modric…
"If someone had told me that a few years ago, I would’ve said 'impossible.' I’ll be training alongside one of the best midfielders in the world. It’ll be important to learn many things from him—on and off the field. I’ll need to be like a sponge and absorb everything that can help me in my career—from him and from the other teammates too."
On playing under pressure:
"It’s actually one of the things I’m better at. I like to hold onto the ball—but not too much. As a defensive midfielder, you need to take as few touches as possible, and especially look ahead to the next play—just like the director told me yesterday. You can be slow with your legs, but if you’re quick in your head, you can make up for it."
Did you receive any special calls? What did your time in Torino leave you with?
"I got calls from so many people—it’s the most important step of my career. All people who care about me and wanted to support me through it. I must say that from the beginning, what touched me in Torino was the love from the fans—it was constant for three years. It’s a club with a very important history, and if I’m here today, it’s also thanks to them. I can only say thank you and carry beautiful memories of Torino."
Was there anything about Allegri that struck you? Ricci answered:
"What I felt from the coach and the players was a lot of enthusiasm—we trained really hard and with high competition. That’s fundamental in a team. I have a good feeling about the season. We’ll give our best."
Do you already have short- and long-term goals in mind?
"In my career, I’ve always tried to progress step by step, never overreaching. This is a starting point. I want to do well here, give everything for the fans. I, and my teammates too, need to earn the fans’ excitement again after seasons of ups and downs. I think this is the right place to get back to the top. Ambition is the best word—it’s what I feel most strongly."
Did Gennaro Gattuso talk to you about Milan? Your youth coach at Empoli said you never got discouraged after a scolding:
"Gattuso didn’t talk to me about Milan—it was a super quick chat. I heard from Buscè yesterday—I read what he said about me. I really thank him—he helped me grow a lot. What you said is part of who I am: I always knew that what the coach told me wasn’t to criticize but to help me grow. It’s essential to take the best from what you're told to improve."
Who do you think Milan’s main rivals will be this season?
"You know the direct rivals yourself. I mentioned ambition because I noticed it immediately—it’s part of who I am, to want to improve and reach higher. And it belongs to Milan too—I immediately identified with that. The main goal is to return to Europe, and beyond that, the best approach is to take it day by day—the coach told us that too. Then, at the end of the year, we’ll see."
With Dimarco and Bastoni—your national teammates—did you talk about the possibility of Inter?
"No, honestly, no. I’ve never spoken to Dimarco or Bastoni about that. I have a great relationship with them in the national team, but we’ve never talked about Inter."
Andreazzoli told us you could improve your vertical passing. Do you agree? Ricci commented:
"Yes, Coach Andreazzoli is never wrong. That’s definitely an aspect I need to improve—it’s fundamental for midfielders. A vertical pass can make a big difference. I’m working on it, just like I’m working on many other areas."
