Menéz, who previously played for AS Roma and AC Milan, gave an exclusive interview to Il Mattino, stating that AS Roma feels like home and that Zlatan Ibrahimović and Diego Silva once tried to convince him to move to AC Milan when he was at Paris Saint-Germain.

Now 39 years old, Menéz is happy and has a family. He is currently speaking from Paris, where he works for Paris Saint-Germain.

Journalist: Jeremy, what are you doing now?

Menéz: "I've been working for DAZN in France for two years now. They have the rights to broadcast Serie A, so we stream the major matches. I'm also an ambassador for Paris Saint-Germain."

Journalist: Do you still enjoy Serie A?

Menéz: "Its appeal has declined somewhat over the past few years, but now I think it's becoming more interesting again. There are many new coaches, lots of young players, and some important established players too."

Journalist: If you were still playing now, which team would you want to play for?

Menéz: "Como and AS Roma are both playing very well and have their own style. As for Fabregas, he is one of the most talented coaches."

Journalist: What was your time at AS Roma like?

Menéz: "I had an excellent period. It wasn't easy to join a team with such an important dressing room, but it felt like home to me. I only have good memories. This year AS Roma has the potential to be a title contender: Gasperini is truly brilliant."

Journalist: What was your relationship with Spalletti like?

Menéz: "He valued me greatly, but he was also very strict. He understood my personality, and sometimes he would have me train for an extra half hour after practice."

In Italy today, players like you are rare.

Menéz: "Absolutely. For example, AC Milan under Allegri lacked creativity. That's a shortcoming, but this isn't just an Italian problem: creative players are becoming rarer throughout world football."

Journalist: Who do you admire the most?

Menéz: "Yamál and Nico Paz."

Journalist: Let's talk about something more personal: what's the most beautiful goal of your career?

Menéz: "The backheel against Parma for AC Milan. It was talked about all over the world. Wet pitch and bouncing ball, but the volley I scored against Inter in the derby was just as beautiful."

How did you join AC Milan in 2014?

Menéz: "After three years at Paris Saint-Germain, I wanted a new challenge. I remember that Ibrahimović and Diego Silva called Galliani. Later Adriano came to find me in Ibiza, where I was on vacation, and he convinced me. The first season was crazy: 16 goals and 4 assists. The second season was terrible."

"During one training session, I felt severe back pain while running uphill. I had already had a herniated disc operation when I was at Paris Saint-Germain, and that area had been problematic ever since. I was limping badly and eventually had to have surgery again. But even after healing, the pain remained too severe. In August, the doctors recommended treatment and four months of rest at home. At first I was limping, and I only managed to return to playing in January."

Journalist: Later you had a conflict with Montella. What happened?

Menéz: "We went to the United States for training. In a friendly match against Liverpool, he sent me as a substitute and I showed a very poor attitude during the next training session. He sent me off and I reacted very rudely in return. After training, he called Galliani and said he wanted to get rid of me. I was very angry at that moment, and it was my fault."

Journalist: You couldn't control your emotions back then, could you?

Menéz: "I admit that my personality limited me. I could have accomplished much more. I didn't think much when playing; it was all instinct. I wanted to enjoy football, and sometimes that meant I couldn't manage my emotions well."

Journalist: Where did this stubbornness come from?

Menéz: "My upbringing certainly influenced it. I lived with my mother in the suburbs of Paris. I had a group of friends, and you had to stand out in some way. Some ended up in prison. We caused a lot of trouble back then. Once we ordered pizza and I even stole the delivery driver's scooter."

Journalist: How did you really make the transition from street life to the football world?

Menéz: "Some older kids around me watched me play and they all thought I was much better than the others. They recommended me to Sochos, and in 2001 I entered their youth academy."

Journalist: Paris Saint-Germain in the 2011-12 season: 9 goals, 22 assists, and... 14 yellow cards. Raw and undisciplined talent, right?

Menéz: "Yes. My personality showed through there too. Most of the yellow cards came from protesting to the referee. I was 24 then, and my mindset wasn't like a fully mature professional footballer. To be clear, I even felt like a child. I hated injustice and sometimes I just couldn't control myself."

Journalist: What's your attitude toward money?

Menéz: "My brother has handled that for me all along. I particularly like luxury cars. Other than that, I don't have any other bad habits."

Journalist: Why didn't you go to Juventus?

Menéz: "Simple. Conte wanted me in 2011, but then Paris Saint-Germain called me, and that was my dream."

Journalist: Actually, your career should have started at Manchester United...

Menéz: "After I won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship with France, Ferguson came to Paris to talk with my father. But at that time, I didn't want to play abroad. I felt it was too early. So in 2004 I signed with Sochos."

แปลโดย AI

เว็บไซต์ AF เปิดตัวแล้ว! ดูข่าว ความคิดเห็น รายละเอียดแมตช์ และสถิติครบถ้วนบนคอมพิวเตอร์ของคุณ เยี่ยมชม: www.allfootballapp.com