• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Update cookie preferences
  • العربية
Sunday, June 29, 2025
  • Home
  • News
  • Exclusive
  • Insights
  • Podcast
  • Transfer Market
  • Milan Women
  • Milan Youth Sector
No Result
View All Result
Milanreports.com
  • Home
  • News
  • Exclusive
  • Insights
  • Podcast
  • Transfer Market
  • Milan Women
  • Milan Youth Sector
No Result
View All Result
Milanreports.com
No Result
View All Result
Home Primo Piano

Bennacer: “Massara called me and spoke French, this is what I told him…

Wajih by Wajih
17 November 2023
in Primo Piano, News
0 0
0
Ismael Bennacer Frederic Massara AC Milan

Frederic Massara and Ismael Bennacer attend a training session at Milanello on August 28, 2021 in Cairate, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/AC Milan via Getty Images)

ADVERTISEMENT
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Ismael Bennacer granted a brilliant and interesting interview to Instant Foot and talked about learning Capoeira and how it helped him (read here) and about his move to Arsenal and how he learned everything there (read here). Here are his words about AC Milan:

"I listen to the sports project, as I've always done in my career. I see how much they want me and how much they truly desire me: I've never looked at a contract, never. When I signed, I was thinking about the project, not the money. That I thought would come. At that moment, my agent told me, 'It's the team that wants you the most, and the sports project is consistent with what you're looking for.' Okay, don't tell me anything else. I wanted to go to a big club, and that's what I managed to do. I arrived through a small door in Milan."

"At Empoli, we deserved much more, not relegation. We were a good team. The Africa Cup had brought some fruit; I had discussions with Milan. I remember well that after the semifinal, two days before the final, Massara called me speaking French. I told him, 'I'll win the cup and I'll come.' I wanted to improve, to grow, and the sports project was for me. Pressure in the final after Milan's call? When I step onto the field, I forget everything else, no matter what has happened."

Bennacer added:

"I signed with Milan before the holidays, when I returned. Maldini, Massara... Arriving at Milan, in a club like that, it's all top-notch. At first, you don't realise the greatness of that club. My older brother is a big Milan fan, but that's not why I chose these colours. I've always made my own decisions; I listen, but then I choose what to do. Milan is an incredible club, incredible. The organisation, the people, it's all too much: it's incredible, not to mention the city. I feel the history of this club, the weight of the jersey too. That's why I give everything on the field because when I love something, I do it this way. I love Milan."

Bennacer continued:

"In the first year, I got too many yellow cards. Leao? We arrived together that summer; we've always been together. We talk a lot. Rafa on the field is incredible, but off the field, he's a bit laid back. We've grown together in many ways. We always talk; when he needs something, I'm there. He's like a younger brother; I give him advice. I'm like this with everyone because the team comes first. He and I were there when the rebuilding of this team started. I consider myself a leader, but that doesn't mean I feel stronger than others. I have more responsibilities; you have to set an example when you wear this jersey."

Setting an example, helping newcomers:

"When you arrive, maybe you don't know, but then when you stay here, renew the contract, it's not written in it, but it's part of the contract: you have to respect the values and principles of this club. Today with the new ones, I try to make them comfortable, give them my phone number, tell them not to hesitate to call me if they have any problems. It's normal to be shy when you arrive in a new locker room; it happened to Saelemaekers too. Think about the team first, that's why you want everyone to be in a position to give their best. We know the club must return as high as possible in Europe."

The goal against Napoli in the Champions League:

"Frankly, if it can be described in one word, that's 'exciting.' An emotion. Imagine being on the field while you hear the whole stadium shouting your name, shouting 'Bennacer.' Honestly, I had a bad game, then I scored, and everyone told me, 'You played a fantastic game.' But it's not like that. I'm not like that; I prefer content over form. It was a new role for me; there were also personal circumstances in the days before the game that made me tired on the day of the match. But a goal is a goal; we won 1-0. It was a crazy match."

The 5 defeats against Inter in 2023, Bennacer said:

"We haven't actually suffered from this statistic. We prepared well for all the games. In the last match, I was injured and wasn't there, but I spoke with teammates and the coach before the game. Honestly, it's tough because you give everything. It's water under the bridge; I can't say more than that. In the past, Milan did nothing but beat Inter, but it's a moment like this."

Bennacer said:

"We played a lot against them, had real matches: maybe at a certain point, some players were more tired, maybe they're stronger in some aspects. For example, they always score early. These are things we definitely have to work on. Scudetto? It's great, Milan and Inter fight to the death and above all, we always meet, even in the Champions League like last season. It's truly the most complicated rivalry. I hate this a bit, but you can't do anything about it."

Bennacer on his move to Calhanoglu:

"I didn't know anything about this; I found out at the last minute because Eriksen had that problem. Hakan wanted to stay at Milan, but then I don't know what happened. Maybe they didn't reach an agreement. We're friends, sure, but on the field, there are no friends, even less in a derby. I respect him, but when I read about this transfer, I said, 'No.' I was on vacation; I saw and reviewed it, I said to myself, 'He can't have done it.' Personally, I could never do that; I respect this club, Milan, so much that I find it impossible. Inter can offer me whatever they want, but it won't happen. I love this club. It doesn't mean I'll stay here my whole career; I don't know what will happen in the future, but I'll definitely never go to Inter."

بن ناصر ميلان Ismael Bennacer AC Milan
Ismael Bennacer lines up before the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at San Siro on May 10, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Tags: Bennacer
ADVERTISEMENT
Wajih

Wajih

A writer, passionate about football: Serie A and AC Milan in particular. For business inquiries, contact: wajihmzoughi1996 [at] gmail [dot] com

Next Post
Gabriele Gravina

FIGC president comments on allegations against Florenzi: "It doesn't seem to me that..."

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Former AC Milan player Seid Visin dies at age 20

Dead at age 20, Seid Visin left a suicide note

6 June 2021
Maldini

Cope: Milan will go for La Liga forward who is few steps away from leaving Spain

4 March 2021
Paolo Maldini AC Milan مالديني

Report claims Paolo Maldini sent 2.5 million euros offer to soon-to-be free agent

3 June 2023
Where does Mandzukic rank among Milan strikers signed in winter?

Piatek: “I left Milan because Ibra arrived”

9 March 2021
Meite

MR – Milan work to sign Meité of Torino

17
MR – The latest on Mohamed Simakan and Kouadio Koné

MR – The latest on Mohamed Simakan and Kouadio Koné

8
Be Rossoneri

Be Rossoneri

6
Hakan Theo

Milan the emergency continues. Two more positive covid cases

5
Massimiliano Allegri

Gazzetta: Allegri’s Milan era – Double training sessions and strict rules

29 June 2025
Francesco Camarda AC Milan ميلان كاماردا

Camarda to Lecce – Is it the right move?

28 June 2025
AC Milan and Castelli unveil premium cycling collection

AC Milan and Castelli unveil premium cycling collection

28 June 2025
Kyle Walker AC Milan ميلان ووكر

Official: Walker will not continue with Milan

28 June 2025

Recommended

Massimiliano Allegri

Gazzetta: Allegri’s Milan era – Double training sessions and strict rules

29 June 2025
Francesco Camarda AC Milan ميلان كاماردا

Camarda to Lecce – Is it the right move?

28 June 2025
AC Milan and Castelli unveil premium cycling collection

AC Milan and Castelli unveil premium cycling collection

28 June 2025
Kyle Walker AC Milan ميلان ووكر

Official: Walker will not continue with Milan

28 June 2025
ADVERTISEMENT

About Us

This is a worldwide website dedicated for AC Milan in English: exclusive news and content about the Rossoneri world.

Categories

  • Breaking News
  • Exclusive
  • Insights
  • Milan Women
  • Milan Youth Sector
  • News
  • Podcast
  • Primo Piano
  • Senza categoria
  • Transfer Market

Sitemap

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Update cookie preferences

Recent News

Massimiliano Allegri

Gazzetta: Allegri’s Milan era – Double training sessions and strict rules

29 June 2025
Francesco Camarda AC Milan ميلان كاماردا

Camarda to Lecce – Is it the right move?

28 June 2025

Copyright © 2021 Milanreports.com All rights reserved | C.F. NGLVTI92L14B936U | Responsible and editorial director: Vito Angelè
Credits by Parrotto Web Solution Web Agency

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Exclusive
  • Insights
  • Podcast
  • Transfer Market
  • Milan Women
  • Milan Youth Sector

Copyright © 2021 Milanreports.com All rights reserved | C.F. NGLVTI92L14B936U | Responsible and editorial director: Vito Angelè
Credits by Parrotto Web Solution Web Agency