Translation of Nesta Interview
02/06/10 Update: Nesta is NOT called up for the game against Bologna…
02/05/10 Update: Nesta and Pirlo watched the Milan-Livorno game last week@_@ the cute picture:
02/03/10 Update: AC Milan centre-back Alessandro Nesta has recovered from back injury and the flu earlier than expected. The 33-year-old is ready to play against Bologna on Sunday.
02/02/10 Update from ACMilan.com: today Alessandro Nesta rested due to the flu syndrome.
01/29/10 Update from ACMilan.com: Alessandro Nesta has already started the physical work and will return to train with the team next week.
An update first: Nesta is called up yet Galliani said it will be decided tomorrow if Nesta would play. Here comes the translation of Nesta interview on il Messaggero, by Gaia, who generously offered her help. Tons of thanks to her:)
NESTA, FEAR OF GIVE UP AND RESURRECTION
«I WILL CONTINUE PLAYING, BUT NEVER AGAIN IN THE NATIONAL TEAM»
Milan (20th January 2010). A never-ending challenge to the destiny, that many times, too many times, has kept on endangering his wonderful but often difficult career. His face is lovely and charming, his behavior is nice and respectable: but Nesta has also a steel heart and a strong temper, that have always allowed him to get up again and never give in. Alessandro Nesta is nearly 34: he risked of loosing Milan forever but now he is taking his team back, heading the Your browser may not support display of this image. defense with experience, elegance and confidence. Since he was a child, Nesta has always been a well-rounded football player. The coach of Lazio youth team, Petrarca, wanted him to play as midfielder since he was stronger than the others and thus “wasted” to play as defender. Now Nesta is ready to guide Milan to the long-awaited Inter-Milan match.
If you think about the last serious injury, were you afraid of stop playing soccer beforehand?
«Yes, I thought about this possibility for a whole week and those days were really dramatic. After six months of hope, the pain didn’t disappear and the situation seemed to be damaged, I was afraid of not being able to play again at a certain level».
How did you come through
«Hard working, pride, strength of mind. I have always fought putting my heart and soul into it , driving away all the fears that were going on in my head. I suffered a lot but I never gave up, I didn’t want to stop playing football».
Is the Nesta of today the best ever?
«It is difficult to say. I don’t have the power I had when I was 20, but now I have improved tactically and my experience helps me moving in the field».
How long are you going to play?
«As long as I am competitive, I have power and enthusiasm, you will watch me playing. I decide year by year, evaluating the situation. If you want me to make an estimate, think I will play for a long time…I want to make up for lost time».
What will you do at the end of your career?
«I haven’t thought about it yet. I don’t see this possibility in my near future».
Did you chose the city where are you going to live, at least?
«Rome, for sure. In Milan I feel really good, but Rome is my city and I’m going to live there forever».
What do you miss of the capital?
«My relatives, my friends, the food and the daily life».
Let’s talk about football. After the match in Bergamo, in which Milan was defeated and risked to change the coach, your post-match interview caused a sensation.
«I only underlined some negative situations that I thought must be changed in order to improve our play».
From then on Milan has been a different team.
«This has not depended on me. All the players have improved and the coach has found the right solutions to the existing problems. Don’t forget that Milan lost Ancelotti, Maldini and Kakà».
But Nesta has already scored 3 times: it is a record.
«I have never been an easy-scoring defender. This year I have been surpassing myself: 2 goals to Chievo and 1 to Juventus».
Inter-Milan can decide the Scudetto?
«Maybe not decide it but it can reopen the championship. Milan wants to win the derby for 2 reasons: to delete the heavy defeat during the first half of the season and to approach Inter».
Do you think about the Scudetto?
«We fight for it. The team feels well, plays well, scores, entertains. Milan has recovered the best Ronaldinho, the power and goals of Borriello, the determination of Gattuso, who suffered serious injuries».
Will Inter-Milan be a fabulous match?
«I think so. The entertainment will be the protagonist of the evening, above all because of the players. But the most important thing will be the final result, in this case more than ever».
What is your prediction?
«No, that’s bad luck(making predictions brings bad luck,Gaia noted). I can only say that this Milan can defeat Inter and we will do our best to win the match».
Balotelli is one of the adversary: what do you think of the racist events?
«Racism exists both in the football world and in the everyday life and must be defeated. Sometimes the most aggressive shouting is mixed up with racism. As a matter of fact, often the insults against Balotelli are an end in theirselves but are confused with racist insults».
How do you judge the sensational reaction of Balotelli against Chievo’s supporters?
«I understand him. He reacted exaggeratedly because he was exasperated by their non-stop wearing out behavior».
Let’s talk about the National Team: is this really a closed subject?
«Closed and filed».
If Lippi asked you to make a sacrifice and play again?
«I would thank him for his esteem, but I wouldn’t change idea. I will watch the World Championship’s matches on tv, supporting my ex team-mates, with whom I still have a good relationship».
You took part in 3 World Championships, but you settled an expensive account to the bad-luck.
«In France I broke the ligaments, in Japan I played 3 matches and in Germany only 2. Unfortunately I even was not able to play the final match».
In the only final match you played, you lost the Europe Championship at golden goal…
«I have never been very lucky with the National Team, but I don’t complain».
How about Lazio: are you surprised of its position in the League?
«I am sorry and surprised. Even though I wear Milan uniform, my heart is with Lazio. Lazio has been my life: I was born and become a famous player thanks to this team. My relatives and my friend are Lazio fans, it is inevitable that we talk about this matter».
Does the fifth-to-the-last position frighten a little bit?
«If I consider all the Lazio players, I cannot understand the reason why the team is at that place in the League. Maybe it is a bad period but these things can happen…the same occurred to Milan at the beginning of the season and the same is occurring to Juventus now. However I think that Lazio will be able to recover».
How is your relationship with Lazio supports now?
«Normal. Last time they didn’t whistle at me and I definitely think it’s a positive sign».
Lotito said that Nesta was a finished player a long time ago.
«I don’t care what he said».
Your physical conditions are worrying Milan: do you think you will be able to play the big match on Sunday?
«The situation is improving: tomorrow I will be subjected to some deciding exams/tests. In any case I hope to play: it would be a pity missing the most important match of the championship».
And the rest? The rest is life.
Thanks for the translation! Great Service! God bless our Sandro. An inflamed tendon is very mean + tricky! Fingers crossed that will recover soon again!!!
littlemorella | Jan 25, 01:09 | #Thank God + hooray our brave Sandro will hopefully return soon. I will celebrate then! Miss him so much!
littlemorella | Jan 30, 09:40 | #Hooray! Thank God that our Sandro is ok again. Fingers crossed that he will be able to play on Sunday! I miss him so.
Forza Sandro, you are a gladiator!
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