AC Milan's Brazilian attacking midfielder Junior Messias who is 30 years old, granted an interview to journalist Carlo Pellegatti for StarCasinò Sport:
"My goal against Atlético Madrid? It was wonderful. I only had the goalkeeper in front of me. I said to myself that I must score the goal. It was a beautiful moment. The ball was really easy, I had the time to jump correctly and put the ball in the net."
This is a really exciting moment for you in your career...
"For me it's a special thing, in 2015 I didn't want to play football anymore. I went to church, talked to the pastor and told him I didn't want to play anymore and just dedicate myself to preaching the gospel. And instead, in my opinion, God didn't want me to leave football because it was a promise. Sometimes people find it hard to believe but an aunt of mine a long time ago made a prayer for me, I was still in Brazil and there was not even the thought of coming to Italy, and she told me that I would play in a big clubs in Europe", said Messias.
Who is your idol in Brazil?
"Ronaldo the Phenomenon. I liked everything about him. After he stopped, I didn't watch the national team games as often as before. When he was playing in Brazil and there was the match, I would stop whatever I was doing to watch him play."
Would you like to meet Ronaldo one day then?
"I haven't had the chance yet, but I would certainly like to talk to him someday."
What did your former coach, Giovanni Stroppa, who is a former Milan player give you?
"The coach has become a friend, he has given me so much. When I arrived there in Crotone he with his way of doing and coaching made me really grow."
Junior Messias on Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"Ibrahimovic is great. When I'm in trouble on the pitch I give the ball to him, he never loses it (laughs). I always trust him."
Do you miss Simon Kjaer:
"Simon is very strong and very good, we hope he recovers as soon as possible. On the human level? I had little time to get to know the guys because games were too close in the schedule. then I have been out for a long time and since I arrived I have only been training with them for three weeks. I haven't had time to get to know them as people yet, but slowly..."
Thoughts on the Milan locker room?
"They are good guys, they are professional guys focused on work."
What do you like about Milan:
“I know Milan little, I have always lived in Turin. Milan is a big city, I like that there is always a lot of movement."
What did Stefano Pioli told you when you first arrived:
"There was a period of difficulty due to injuries. Maybe in training it wasn't going well, but Mr. Pioli came to me and said: "Look, you're strong, don't worry." He gave me an extra boost."
What is your favourite dish:
"If I have to tell you the truth, it is Brazilian (laughs). There is a typical dish from my state called “frango com quiabo. It's chicken with a Brazilian vegetable. I also like the Milanese risotto", declared Messias.
What do you do in your free time?
"I always try to be with my family. When I have time I always want to be with them, I want to disconnect from everything else."
