AC Milan's new signing Alfajio Cissé attended a fan meeting at the club's official store and subsequently gave an interview to the assembled media. This article is the first part of that interview.

Related Reading

【Alfajio Cissé: Ambrosini said I'm like Robinho? That will be my motivation】

Alfa, after Sunday's match, you shared your deepest and most genuine emotions and joy with us. But today I want to dig deeper: How have the last two days been for you since that unforgettable Sunday match? Would you say these are the most beautiful, extraordinary, or perhaps the best days you've ever experienced in your life? What congratulations and greetings have you received from family, friends, fans, or the football world during this time? Do you truly believe now that your long-held football dream has finally become reality? Also, I have a small personal curiosity: Why did you choose to wear number 70 at AC Milan? Is it because number 80, which represents core strength, was already taken by a teammate?

Honestly, everything has happened so fast over the last few days, and it feels truly amazing. I've been trying to reply to every congratulatory message on my phone. It's an unprecedented emotional experience for me, filled with a mix of joy, gratitude, and anticipation for the future.

But as a professional player, we all know that this Friday we face another crucial match. So I've already started forcing myself to adjust my mindset and move to the next step—my thoughts and focus are now completely on Friday's battle. After Friday's match, the coaching staff will give us two days off. Only then, I think, will I be able to truly relax and enjoy and appreciate all of this.

Regarding the number 70 you mentioned, haha, you're right. I chose 70 because a teammate (Musah) was already wearing number 80. And I remember very clearly that when I first trained with AC Milan's reserve team, I wore number 70. So when this opportunity came around again, I didn't hesitate to make the same choice, hoping this number would continue to bring me luck.

Hi Alfa, I'd like to go back a bit. During the winter transfer window in January, you were actually very close to a deal with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, and the transfer was nearly complete. But at that critical moment, you suddenly received a call from AC Milan. Could you tell us in detail about that dramatic turn of events? What were your feelings and reactions at that time? Also, currently, the head coach speaks very highly of you. In his pre-match press conference, he openly expressed his admiration for you, saying directly, "I like Cissé." And after last Sunday's match, he specifically emphasized to the outside world, "We must pay more attention to this young player and double our efforts with him, both on and off the pitch." We all know that AC Milan is a very bustling metropolis with many temptations and distractions, and young players can easily get lost in it. So I'm very curious to understand your actual relationship with the head coach, and your relationship with the city of Milan. Are you easily distracted by external things here?

Actually, my relationship with the head coach is very harmonious. We maintain a very positive and healthy coach-player relationship. He has placed great trust and expectations in me, and not just in me, but in many young players on our team. For young players, feeling this unlimited trust from the head coach allows me to release all psychological burden on the pitch, enabling me to showcase my skills and characteristics more easily and freely.

Regarding your first question about the January transfer: the situation was indeed as you described. I was practically about to finalize all the details to go to Eindhoven, and the transfer was 99% done. But at that moment, AC Milan's name suddenly appeared. To be frank, the moment I learned that AC Milan was interested in me, I changed my mind immediately. I didn't hesitate for a second; I immediately called my agent. For me, joining such a prestigious and historic club was a straightforward, simple, and very natural choice that didn't require much thought.

Hi Alfa, I'd like to ask if you feel this is the most precious golden opportunity of your career? Because in the final stages of this summer transfer window, whether you would stay at AC Milan was uncertain and much awaited. But as things stand now, you seem to have gained strong support from the club's owner, management, and most importantly, the head coach of the first team. Hearing a top coach openly state, "I really admire Cissé" is not something common in football. So I'd like to ask, is this a crucial moment for you to make a professional leap and showcase your talent under the world's spotlight? Also, to help all fans and media understand you more accurately, could you demonstrate and explain again how your surname should be pronounced correctly?

In recent weeks, particularly towards the end of the summer transfer window, there were indeed discussions and plans about loaning me out to get more playing time. However, the head coach consistently conveyed to me his desire to keep me in the squad, and he has given me many opportunities to prove myself and demonstrate my abilities in training and matches.

Fortunately, I managed to make the most of the chances he gave me, and I can say I succeeded. Being able to ultimately choose to stay at AC Milan is a great honor for me, and my heart is filled with unparalleled joy. Because being part of one of the greatest and most successful clubs in the world is every ambitious footballer's dream, and it's an extraordinary privilege for me.

As for the pronunciation question you asked, as I've said, my surname is pronounced "Cissé", and there's no need to add an accent when pronouncing it. As for whether this is a big opportunity in my career to prove my worth, my answer is definitely yes. This is truly one of the most important and crucial opportunities in my life that I must seize.

Diterjemahkan oleh AI.

Situs web AF kini hadir! Lihat berita lengkap, komentar, detail pertandingan, dan statistik di komputer Anda. Kunjungi: www.allfootballapp.com