The Rossoneri midfielder speaks from the France training camp: “Maybe Rafa needs to ask himself what he wants because at 26, you’re no longer young. I was close to joining the Diavolo last year: Ibra asked me why nothing came of it.”

Happy, mature, determined. With France as with Milan. This is the new Adrien Rabiot, back in Serie A after his spell in Marseille. And immediately a key player in his new Rossoneri colors: “After five years at Juventus,” says the midfielder from the Bleu training camp, “it’s no small thing to play for Milan. The years in Turin were important for my career, which I care about a lot. But I’m happy to be back in Italy and at Milan, another legendary club. There’s a lot of passion here too. And we have a lot of ambition.”

How much did Allegri’s call weigh on your decision?

“I’ve always had an excellent relationship with Allegri. We’re similar, and I appreciate him a lot on a personal level. We called and texted each other often last season. Then there had already been contact with Milan last year, but nothing came of it. This summer, they came forward at the beginning of the summer and came back after the problem in Marseille. It was the right time for everyone.”

Did you talk to your friend Maignan about Milan first?

“Yes, and he spoke very highly of it. He was right.”

Is Allegri more determined than he was in your last year at Juventus?

“He has always been very determined. He’s a winner. He’s always hungry for victory and very passionate. I like that because I’m the same way. I don’t think he’s looking for revenge because he’s a coach who has won a lot and is respected in the world of soccer. I think he wants to show that he has the ability to lead a team to victory. And if Milan signed him, it’s because they know he can do great things.”

Was it a sacrifice for you to give up the Champions League?

“I thought about it. Last season, I gave my all to get Marseille back into the Champions League with the idea of playing in it. I could have signed for various clubs that play in it, but Milan is a legendary club with great ambitions. Allegri is building a three-year project to get back to the top, with the priority of returning to the Champions League immediately and doing our best in the league this year, which for me means fighting for the Scudetto. We have the quality to do it.“

Is Max asking you to bring the mentality and determination you had at Juventus to Milan?

”Allegri wanted me at Milan because he knows I can pass on my experience to the younger players, giving my all in training and in matches, always with the desire to win. Other key players such as captain Maignan and Modric can do the same.”

Are you surprised by 40-year-old Modric?

“I’m not surprised by his commitment and professionalism, otherwise he wouldn’t be at this level at his age. I’m surprised because at 40, what he does is not a given. He’s someone who continues to give his all in games and in training. A true example for everyone.”

Rabiot like Modric: on the field until he’s 40?

“He’s an inspiration, but it depends on various factors: physical condition, injuries. Modric certainly has great passion. And passion is the driving force behind everything. Plus, he’s happy to continue training hard and playing.”

What is Leao missing to establish himself definitively?

“I know there’s a lot of talk about it. He’s a player with potential, but at 26, you’re no longer young. At his age, there’s no time to waste. Time passes quickly. It would be a shame if he remained just a potentially great player. I hope he realizes he has what it takes to compete with the best. But maybe he doesn’t have the will or passion of a Modric. Leao has to ask himself where he wants to go, whether he’s satisfied with where he is, or whether his goal is to become what he can be. It would be a shame for us because it would be a waste if he didn’t express his full potential and focus 100% on his work. Allegri knows how to get the best out of players. I hope he has a positive impact on him too. Maybe this is the right opportunity for Leao.“

And what do you think of Nkunku?

”He’s a great player, effective in front of goal, technically strong, who goes deep and cuts inside. Allegri is happy to have him. He’s an extra offensive weapon that will count for a lot in the fight for the Scudetto. He arrived a little out of shape and needs some time to get back to his best, but he has already shown interesting things in a department full of different profiles: Pulisic, Leao himself, and even Gimenez, who many criticize, but Santi is someone who gives 100% in training and in games. He has the right mentality, he just needs to break the deadlock. In general, Milan is an excellent team, perhaps just a little short in defense in case of injuries.

Who is fighting for the Scudetto?

“As usual, many teams. Seeing Roma so high up is a bit of a surprise. Napoli remains the strongest. Inter is the Italian team that has done best in Europe so far and, unlike us, they have the advantage of having played together for a long time. It’s not easy to create the right dynamic right away. Juve have quality, but less than Napoli or Inter, and they still lack the chemistry needed to win the Scudetto. They’ll be fighting for a Champions League spot. We’ll definitely be fighting until the end and I hope to win the Scudetto again, because we weren’t able to celebrate the one with Juventus properly due to Covid. This time, I’d like to celebrate it with all the fans in the square.“

Meanwhile, on Sunday, November 23, there’s the derby at San Siro.

”I like big games. I can’t wait to play it, also because there will be valuable points at stake for the standings. It’s one of those games that are different, in terms of history and intensity, that every player wants to experience.”

Did Zlatan Ibrahimovic explain the world of Milan to you?

“We saw each other often at Milanello. He’s happy that I’m at Milan because he knows what I can give. But he asked me why I didn’t come last season. I’m happy to be working with him again after our years together at PSG.”

Is France looking for revenge after losing the World Cup in Qatar? “No revenge, that’s just how it went. But we know we have the opportunity and the quality to do at least as well as we did in Qatar, which means reaching the final. We all have the goal of winning, and with this group, we can dream of playing in another final. It would be wonderful to add another star to our jersey.”

This is also Deschamps’ last year as coach: do you have the same relationship with him as you do with Allegri?

“I’ve known the coach for a long time, but obviously we see each other less. We have a good relationship. Above all, there is a group of players he counts on. He is also a winner and I think he wants to finish on a high note to leave a good memory. He conveys this desire to us.“

Italy, on the other hand, risks staying at home for the third time.

”It would be one less opponent, but a shame for the World Cup, soccer, and the passion of Italian fans. Even though it is no longer the Italy of Del Piero and Buffon, it is difficult to understand what is happening to the Azzurri, because they are not lacking in quality players. Perhaps there has been a lack of stability on the bench. Or maybe it is a mental problem. After missing out on two World Cups and a poor start to qualifying, pressure and doubts are making everything more complicated.”