Menez reflects on time at Milan and insists current team ‘lacks imagination’

Jeremy Menez was a shining light in a dark time period for AC Milan, with his impressive individual campaign in 2014-15.

In Italy, Menez starred with Roma and Milan, scoring one of the most brilliant goals in Serie A with a back heel against Parma. That was during a campaign in which he scored 16 goals in the league, but the Rossoneri slumped to a mid-table finish.

His story is a testament to strength and the desire to always believe. Menez grew up in the suburbs of Paris with little money and once even stole a scooter from a pizza delivery man. He would do two seasons with the Diavolo, before returning to France to play for Bordeaux.

The Frenchman spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport to shed some more light on his time with Milan and also to give his thoughts on the current state of the team and of Serie A.

Are you still enjoying Serie A?

“Over the years, it’s lost some of its appeal. Now, however, I find it more fascinating. There are new, young coaches and important players.”

Which team would you see yourself in today?

“At Como and Roma. They play very well and have strong identities. Fabregas, moreover, is one of the most talented coaches.”

Players like Menez are rare in Italy today…

“True. Amorim’s Milan, for example, lacks imagination. It’s a limitation. But it’s not just a matter of Italy: even in football in general, creative players have been somewhat lost.”

Who are you crazy about?

“Lamine Yamal and Nico Paz.”

Let’s move on to personal tastes: best goal of your career?

“The back heel in Parma-Milan. It went around the world. The pitch was wet and the ball went flying. But the volley in the derby against Inter was just as beautiful.”

How did you arrive at Milan in 2014?

After three years at PSG, I needed a new challenge. I remember Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva calling Galliani. Adriano came to Ibiza, where I was on holiday, and convinced me. The first year was incredible: 16 goals and 4 assists. The second, however, went badly.”

How come?

“During a training session, I sprinted uphill and felt a huge pain in my back. I had already had hernia surgery at PSG, and that part of my body was giving me problems. I struggled to walk and had to have surgery.

“Once I returned, however, I was still in excessive pain. In August, the doctor told me to take medication and stay home for four months. At first, I was limping, and I only returned in January.”

And then Montella arrived, and you fell out with him. What happened?

“We went on a training camp in America. In a friendly against Liverpool, he benched me, and at the next training session, I acted lazy. He kicked me out, and I responded heatedly. At the end of training, he called Galliani and told him to send me away. I was a hothead, it was my fault.”

Did you handle anger poorly?

“My personality limited me, I admit. I could have done so much more. I played without thinking, instinctively. I wanted to have fun with the ball, and that, perhaps, led me to struggle with anger management.”

Where does the rebellious Menez come from?

“The environment I grew up in certainly didn’t help. I lived in the suburbs of Paris with my mom. I had a group of friends where you had to stand out, stand out in some way. Some of them ended up in prison. We got into a lot of trouble. Once we ordered a pizza and I stole the delivery guy’s scooter.”

Why didn’t you go to Juventus?

“Simple. Conte wanted me in 2011, but then PSG called, which was my dream.”