Moreira discusses joining Milan, goals and life away from football: “I’ll give everything”
Diego Moreira has pledged to give everything for his new club AC Milan, revealing why it was such an easy decision to make the move.
At the start of the week, only those involved in the negotiation even knew that Moreira was a target for Milan. By Monday night, news had broken that the Rossoneri had agreed a deal worth €50m plus add-ons for the wing-back, who was already packing his bags ready to board a flight.
The Belgian touched down in Italy on Tuesday, did a medical, the on Wednesday evening he was at the club’s headquarters to sign his new five-year contract. Milan announced the deal officially not long after that, and now Moreira could even feature against Torino on Sunday.
Moreira gave an interview to Milan TV as part of his unveiling and he answered questions about a number of topics, from getting Milan’s call to life away from the field. MilanNews relayed his words in full.
What was it like when you learned of Milan’s interest?
“I was a bit shocked because playing for AC Milan means winning trophies and being part of a club with a glorious history, where so many great champions have played. AC Milan is a great club with certain expectations, and this is the right time for me to come here.”
What goals do you have?
“No goal can be achieved without teamwork. I’ll give everything for my teammates on the pitch and in training, trying to make our fans happy. It’s important to me to be happy, and I’ll try to achieve our goals, win the championship, and everything else we can win.”
What are you like as a person?
“People see me on social media. I’m always laughing and dancing there, but that doesn’t mean I’m always like this. I know when it’s time to work. I know what I want from my life and my career . I know what I need to do to be successful and achieve my goals.
“People need to understand that I’m a nice person, but I know when it’s time to be focused. I know how to give everything on the pitch for my teammates and the fans. This will never change; it’s part of me. I know what I want and where I want to go.
“I know what I have to do, and I will do it. It’s up to you: it’s important to find that animal instinct within yourself that allows you to grow. I have it inside me. If you don’t want something, you can ask anyone for help, but nothing will change.
“I’m always smiling, I’m always happy, and I try to make people happy. Joy is the best word to describe me. It’s the mix of cultures and my origins that makes me the person I am.”
How important is family to you?
“My family always tells me I was born with a ball. I’m happy about that, but neither my father nor my grandfather pushed me to play football. No one forced me, no one told me what to do. The only thing I do is play football and have fun.
“My father played football too, he had his career and left his mark. My mother is very important to me and has a role in my life that no one else could fill. She gives me everything and has always done everything for me.”
You have a passion for music and fashion…
“I listen to music at any time of the day . When I go to training or to a match and even when I’m at home alone. Music is important, it makes me happy. Sometimes I can be sad, but listening to music changes my mood and makes me want to sing and dance. It’s part of me.
“I really love break dancing. I’ve been dancing since I was a child, I did it for a long time but then I had to choose between dancing and football and I think I made the right choice. I’m very happy with my choice. Milan is the fashion capital.
“If I go out to dinner or shopping I like to dress well and feel comfortable and fashionable. For me it’s important to wear the right clothes. I’m a simple guy.”
