Chukwueze: Kaka Is My Icon, I Was Nervous About Milan Deal

Chukwueze: Kaka Is My Icon, I Was Nervous About Milan Deal

Ibrahim Lateef 

Super Eagles and AC Milan new signing Samuel Chukwueze has revealed that Rossoneri icon Ricardo Kaká is his role model, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

“When I was a kid, I only looked at Ricardo Kaká. The goal he scored in the Champions League against Manchester United, when he headed the ball and the defenders collided it was incredible. I think Kaká was my favorite player at Milan, he was fantastic. When I watched some of his YouTube videos, I saw all the crazy things he did in the Rossoneri shirt. He was a fabulous player.”

The Nigerian went further to say Carlos Bacca as the player he drew information from, before making the move to the Rossoneri, given the ex-Colombia striker’s history with both Milan and Villarreal. 

Chukwueze, who also revealed the nervousness that engulfed him on learning Milan’s interest, starred alongside Bacca for four years at the Yellow Submarines.

He announced himself to the Rossoneri faithful in an exclusive interview to Milan TV.

"When I learned that Milan wanted to buy me I was really nervous. Then I saw the fans who were sending me messages to come here; wonderful people. My first impression came from the fans, they made me come here. 

"The way they kept texting me, tagging me, telling me to come here. That was really what brought me here. When my agent told me about this interest, I thought he was joking, but when he sent me the draft of Milan’s contract I said to myself: “Oh, let’s see how it is”. I didn’t think about it two or three times, I said: “Ok, I think I have to take this next.”

The Villarreal youth product revealed Bacca’s influence on his decision.

“I played together with Bacca. He was at Milan and then played for Villarreal, and I asked him about the club and he told me it was fantastic. I really had so many questions because I really like Milan and I think they’re a great team with a great history.”

Chukwueze arrives as Milan’s seventh signing of the season, following the acquisitions of Tijjani Reijners, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Noah Okafor, Luka Romero, and Marco Sportiello. He leaves his boyhood club Villarreal after six years and will star as Milan’s new number 21.