AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan spoke to the media in a press conference ahead of the highly anticipated Champions League match against Real Madrid. The French international emphasized the significance of the upcoming game, stating that his contract renewal is not his primary concern at the moment.
“This is a special evening against a strong opponent,” Maignan began when asked about the match. “My renewal is not the most important thing right now; I am focused on the game against Real Madrid. We need to be lucid and cool during the match, and my priority is to bring home a positive result.”
Maignan also discussed his relationship with fellow French player Kylian Mbappé, who will be on the opposing side. “We will play against Kylian; we always talk. He is a quality player, even if he is going through a difficult phase right now. I have no doubt that he will perform well.”
Reflecting on the excitement of facing top-tier opponents like Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, Maignan expressed his enthusiasm: “Football for me is always adrenaline; it excites me to play against anyone. The best thing is to win together with my teammates.”
When asked if he considers himself one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he confidently replied, “If I don’t think I’m the best, no one will do it for me. I see myself among the top five goalkeepers, but I still have room for improvement. My focus remains on tomorrow’s game.”
Maignan also highlighted the courage that Milan must display in their upcoming match. “Every match has its own story. There is a big difference between this match and our derby. Tomorrow, we must have courage—attack and defend with bravery and play our football without fear.”
