Simon Kjaer, defender of AC Milan, expressed himself to bold.dk, a Danish publication, directly from Denmark's training camp.
On the knee injury:
"The knee injury has changed my way of thinking: I have truly learned to enjoy the moment and appreciate the experiences I have as a footballer. I think 90% of the players on the national team here don't think like I do. The knee injury has changed my mindset in several ways. Both in terms of how I think, live, and work. When I play, I think that I've had a lot of fun, but I also think that it could be one of my last games. That's why I appreciate it more. That's how I've felt for a long time."
On the future, Kjaer said:
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm where I want to be. I play for Milan, I feel good at Milan, and I have a lot of hope in myself. But whether the decision is made now or in two months, it doesn't change anything for me. We were seventh or eighth when I arrived four years ago. Now we're in the Champions League every season. If I can stay in Milan, I'm very happy. It's always been the club I've wanted to be at, ever since I first went to Palermo. If it's not Milan, then I'm 35 years old and I can freely choose what I want with my family. I'm not worried. I'm fine with it. I think everyone knows me. I'm proud of what I do. But they don't come asking me to be different."
Have you had other offers?
"I would lie if I said no. Obviously, I decided differently. Previously, I also turned down offers from Saudi Arabia. I did it for many reasons. Firstly, because right now I am where I have always wanted to be. I have had a beautiful footballing journey, always wanting to play for Milan, and I have an incredibly beautiful life in Milan. It's Italy. My wife is Swedish, so Denmark is not her home, just as Sweden is not mine. My kids understand Danish, they speak a bit like in 'The Christmas Calendar'. But their main language is English. They have always gone to English school. We have moved an incredible amount of times in our lives. For us, Italy has become our home. This is where we have lived the longest and where we have a lot of fun. This goes for the whole family."
On the record with Denmark, Kjaer said:
"It was a great moment for me when I stepped onto the field with my two kids in my 129th game, just as it was a fantastic experience to break the international record against San Marino with my whole family around. Whether I have one, two, three, or four years left in football, I don't know."
On the possibility of playing in the 2026 World Cup:
"Why shouldn't I play in the World Cup in two years if things go well like they are now? But of course, many things have to align. It would be foolish not to believe it. The 2026 World Cup is definitely a goal for me. My mentality 14 years ago was completely different from today's. Back then, it was all or nothing every time. If I lost one of the big matches, I was 'dead' for a week. The games don't mean any less to me now. In no way. It's just about doing my things. I have to be as prepared as possible, so I know I can't do more."
