Midfielder Brahim Diaz kissed the Milan badge after playing a vital role in their 5-1 win over Sampdoria and insisted he is ‘very happy’ with the Rossoneri. The 23-year-old is into the third year of his loan with Milan, who retain a €22 million option to sign him outright in July. Real Madrid have a counter-option which allows them to bring him back to the Bernabeu for €27 million, prompting speculation they would sign him back and use him in a deal to sign Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund.
Speaking with Sky Sport Italia after the game, the young midfielder reiterated his desire to remain in Milan, but conceded that his future is out of his control:
A positive season for you…
“I’m happy on an individual level, of course this week has been so-so. We wanted to reach the final, but today we did what we had to do. We won and played well. Individually I’m very happy.”
Have you forgotten the Champions League knockout?
“The goal now is to reach the Champions League, we have shown that we are strong by reaching the semi-finals. We wanted to reach the final, but today’s match also helped us in view of the next Champions League.”
You have grown in the quality of your plays, what do you attribute this to?
“Thanks for your words. I’m young and I still have to grow up. I have to thank the coach, he worked well with everyone. I have to say thanks also to the team, we is always united. I know my qualities, I always give everything.”
The kiss on the shirt speaks for itself…
“It was to thank all the fans for this week. It was with the heart, I did it from the heart. I don’t know what to say about the future. I’m very happy, there are two games left and I want to give everything for this shirt.”
On the missed goal in the derby…
“I always want to score, I didn’t succeed on that occasion. But I always give everything for the team, of course I had to score. I regret what I did wrong the other day. But in football, there are always other opportunities.”
Did the arrival of De Ketelaere spur you on?
“I don’t know what to say. We are with him, that’s the important thing. We are united, we help everyone and we want to help him too. When there is competition everyone wants to give their best. I don’t want to talk about this because then maybe words that aren’t mine come out. If one day you want to come and see how we train you will see the quality of all the players.”
