Emerson Royal currently plays for Brazilian side Flamengo. His brief spell at AC Milan was not the best. Now, however, he is happy in his homecountry.
Here are his words:
Finally Brazil...
"Today I feel good and I am happy again," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Coming back here after years away felt special. We are playing two important competitions and one reason I chose to return was to let the people in my country know me more, because I spent a long time abroad. Feeling appreciated is great."
How was it to reunite with Alex Sandro, Danilo and Jorginho?
"I knew Danilo and Alex from the national team, but we never played together at a club. I faced Jorginho when he was at Chelsea and I liked his style. I wanted to experience him as a teammate. They all have strong experience and working with them is a privilege."
Do you watch Serie A together?
"When the schedule allows, yes. The Italian matches here are late, but when I can I watch Milan. I have friends there, above all Rafa Leao, who I speak with often. I am curious to see how they do and I want to support them from home."
Do you also follow Antonio Conte at Napoli?
"When he plays against Milan, yes, he laughs. Antonio taught me a lot, above all in terms of mentality. He talked to me a lot, sometimes it felt heavy, but I took it in a positive way, I knew his only goal was to improve players. He has a strong character, but we shared good moments at Tottenham."
In the summer of 2024 Milan called.
"Yes. Milan spoke first with my agent, then the directors called me directly, then Zlatan. They explained the project and I liked it, so I accepted."
When you arrived in Milan, did you feel welcomed by the fans?
"I arrived in Italy with a strange feeling straight away. From the start, every time I said or did something, people talked about me more than they talked about Cristiano Ronaldo, but in a negative way. I felt I had to do double to be accepted, and then I still was not accepted."
"He does not defend, he does not attack", a Tottenham fan video with that chant spread about you...
"That video was manipulated and pushed as recent when I arrived at Milan, but it was old. It came from a difficult moment we had with Conte. Fans comment on everything, that is normal. But when I chose to leave Tottenham, the club tried to keep me because I had improved a lot. I had a good relationship with everyone."
How did you handle the pressure? Emerson Royal said:
"I do not get shaken easily because I know my value. But arriving and feeling that wave of hate before even stepping on the pitch was not nice. I have a family and friends and they suffer more. It was not pleasant. You never want to hear such things while you try to do your job as well as possible."
Inside the club, did you feel trusted?
"Yes. I felt trust from the club and my teammates and at Milan I earned a starting place. The problem was something else. In Italy the press has huge weight and I did not know this. What is said outside is strong and shapes things before they start."
Did you feel the same trust from Paulo Fonseca first and then Sergio Conceição?
"No difference. I played with Fonseca, I played with Conceição. The injury stopped me and when I came back only two matches were left. I spoke a lot with Sergio. He told me I would be important and a starter in his Milan. And until I was available, that was the case."
Why did Emerson Royal leave AC Milan?
"It started with me and my request," said the Brazilian full-back. "I spoke with my family and agent and leaving had already become a priority. I could not continue with that feeling on me. The same thing happened at Tottenham, but there I managed to change minds. You arrive, people talk, later they do not want you to leave. Time and adaptation. At first I thought of doing the same at Milan, staying to show who I am. But after the injury and months out, that feeling grew stronger. And when I understood my relationship with the environment was worn out, I realised staying was not the right choice."
Do you miss Italy?
"No. It is a beautiful country and Milan is a top club, but I will never feel nostalgia because there is no reason to miss it. I miss Spain, where I was happy at Betis. And I miss England. Not Italy."
If you could send a message to Milan fans?
"I would say I understand them well. They pay for the ticket, they want the best for the team and they expect every player to perform. I respect that. But sometimes it was a bit too much, because I was a Milan player and supporting me would have helped Milan too. When a player makes mistakes, if fans stay close they help him before things go bad. You are not at 100 percent every day. Some matches go well, others do not. It is human, and you need to accept this. I often felt heavy criticism even in moments when I had played strong matches."
Which ones are you most proud of?
"The first derby and the one against Real Madrid. I get fired up in big matches and strong atmospheres."
Will you watch the derby from Rio next week?
"Yes. I will not be on the pitch, but that feeling will still be strong. In Milan it is a wild match and winning it feels unmatched. Last year, we brought the red and black supremacy back. I hope Milan stay on that path. They will have one more supporter."
Do you like Massimiliano Allegri’s football?
"A lot. But I would not have fit tactically because he plays a different way with a back three. I think the team this year is compact and strong and can go far. They will have a strong season, they deserve it."
Did other Italian clubs approach you after Milan?
"No. I had already told my agent I did not want to stay in Italy. I did not want to continue there. I had opportunities in England, Turkey, Spain, and Brazil. I chose to go home."
Obrigado, Emerson Royal 🇧🇷
Thank you for your commitment and energy in Rossonero 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/RQC4AsWQp6— AC Milan (@acmilan) July 27, 2025
Have you spoken with Ancelotti about a return to the national team?
"No. But Carlo knows me. He remembers my match for Milan against Real Madrid. When I arrived at Flamengo I was coming from a long stop, the injury, holidays, no preseason with Milan. I lacked rhythm. Now I feel good and I am happy. With time everything will return. He sees what I do. I chose Flamengo also to return to the national team. I want to represent my country."
Looking back, would you redo everything? Emerson Royal commented:
"Yes, 100 percent. I would change nothing. I come from the favelas and a tough life. There were moments when my family did not have food. I worked a lot to reach this point. Life gives good moments and hard moments, and you grow from both."
