The Rossoneri midfielder: “At Milan at the right time, Max told me that something could happen…”

He came to Milan to win and is convinced he can do it. Adrien Rabiot is not talking about the Scudetto and, faithful to Massimiliano Allegri’s line, is postponing the discussion until March, when the standings will be clearer, but after lifting trophies at PSG and Juventus, he is convinced he can do the same in Rossonero.
Why does Rabiot have this “certainty”?

“Because all the ingredients are here to do it: a club like Milan, a great group in the dressing room, and an important technical staff. Now we have to work week after week, give our all, and make sacrifices. To win, you always have to give something extra and have the mentality that the coach instills in us.”

Is Allegri an added value for Milan?

“He’s a winner, and I like his personality, how he coaches, his passion for soccer, and his ambition. He always gives his all, and I see myself in his way of thinking. Off the field, he’s always very positive, making jokes and putting us at ease.”

You’ve called him your “soccer dad.”

“In 2019, I chose Juventus because of him. I had met him months before the end of the season and immediately liked him. When I arrived in Turin, however, he was no longer there (sacked and replaced by Sarri, ed.). When he returned in 2021, we built a good relationship, both on and off the pitch.”

That’s why when Milan came looking for him in August, he had no doubts…

“Milan had also approached me last year when I was a free agent, and we had talked. Would the team have finished higher than eighth place with me? I don’t know, but given what we’re doing now, I’d say I arrived at Milanello at the right time. The Rossoneri also wanted me in July, when I was at Marseille, but it was difficult for me to leave. After that thing happened (the incident in the dressing room with Rowe, ed.), other Italian clubs contacted me, but I knew what I wanted. Allegri had told me, ‘Let’s see what happens…’ and something really did happen. I don’t know how he does it, but he can also predict… the future (laughs, ed.).

Max calls him “Cavallo Pazzo” (Crazy Horse), his assistant Landucci calls him “Monsieur,” and in France and Turin he was “Il Duca” (The Duke). Which nickname is your favorite?

“In Paris I was ‘Le Duc’ and in Turin I became ‘Il Duca’. I like ‘Cavallo Pazzo’ because it represents me: when I take to the field… For Landucci, I’ve been ‘Monsieur’ since my time at Juve: it sounds good.“

Allegri says that you’ve improved since your years at Juventus. Do you agree?

”I feel more like a leader and more mature, but I’m not ‘there’ yet: as long as I’m playing, I try to keep growing, every season. Last season, for example, was important for me, and I think I made more progress. The same goes for these months at Milan: I try to pay attention to the details, I carefully study videos of our opponents and also my own. And when I see in the images that I’m doing something right that I maybe wasn’t doing before… I like it.”

You haven’t scored yet. Are you ready to break the deadlock on Saturday against Lazio?

“I hope so. I’d like to score as soon as possible, both at San Siro and away from home. I like to score goals or provide assists, but that’s not my main role: I have to help the team with my running, tackling, advice, and experience. If we keep winning and I don’t score, that’s fine too.”

In six games with you on the field, the Diavolo has had five wins and one draw, with only one goal conceded. How do you explain these numbers?

“Maybe my teammates have more confidence, and I give them mental strength. I try to talk a lot, especially in the most difficult moments of the game, to keep everyone focused. I always give my all, and the others feel that.”

So with Rabiot on the pitch…

(smiles) “Everything is easier…”

When you had your calf injury, did Allegri pressure you to come back sooner?

“He asked me three or four times a day when I would be back, but in reality he only wanted me to play when I was ready because it was a serious injury. Having a coach who talks to you often, even when you’re not available, helps you stay focused on your goal. Allegri is great at that too.“

How did the derby leave you feeling?

”Happy, because it’s a special game for Milan and Milan fans. It was great to win my first derby at San Siro, and I’m proud of how we played. These three points give us even more confidence.”

Is it too early to talk about the Scudetto?

“Yes. There’s no point thinking about the Scudetto: we’re trying to win every game and achieve the goals we’ve set ourselves (qualification for the Champions League, ed.). As the weeks go by, we’re seeing more and more that the team has the right qualities and mentality. Without injuries, we hope to be in a position to fight for our chances in February-March.”

And if Maignan continues to make saves like that…

“He’s been exceptional.”

Do you hope he renews his contract and stays with the Rossoneri?

“Yes, of course I hope so, like everyone at Milan. Maignan is an extraordinary goalkeeper and there aren’t many in the world as good as him. He’s a key player for us and Mike loves the Rossoneri shirt. I’m not getting involved in the negotiations between him and the club’s management, but I hope he continues to grow in this club, with a coach like Allegri and in this group.“

Nkunku, on the other hand, is not yet at his best.

”He is a talent and has already proven that in the past. I know him because we grew up together, him, Mike (Maignan, ed.) and me. He arrived from Chelsea out of shape and has to adapt to a difficult league like Serie A, but now he’s physically fit and motivated. I’m sure that as soon as he breaks the deadlock…”.

Leao, on the other hand, is growing rapidly.

“He works hard in training and today (yesterday, ed.), for example, he made some sliding tackles in defense to recover the ball: it’s great to see a talent like him sacrificing himself for the team. Compared to when I was at Juve, he has improved a lot.”

Even you, who have played with so many champions, are impressed by Modric?

“He’s a simple person and loves soccer like a child. I got on very well with him in midfield from day one because he has quality and vision, but he also makes a great contribution in winning the ball back, running and going in decisively when he needs to. He’s an extraordinary player who amazes me with the desire he shows on the pitch every day at 40 years of age. I admire him a lot: when I’m his age, I hope I still have that passion.”

What do you remember about De Zerbi?

“We did well last year. De Zerbi is crazy about soccer, and when he left the training center, he would go home and watch every game. The next day, perhaps talking about tactics, he would ask us: ‘Who saw the game yesterday? Did you notice that…’. It’s incredible.“

Speaking of your former coaches, you’ll be reunited with Sarri on Saturday against Lazio.

”It’ll be nice to see him again. We had a special year at Juventus: I didn’t play much at the beginning, but after Covid, I was always in the starting lineup and we won the Scudetto. Sarri is a great coach.”

The Italian Super Cup is scheduled in less than a month, then at the end of the season there will be the World Cup: do you still have room in your trophy cabinet?

“I have an important year ahead of me in which I can win with both Milan and France. I hope to succeed and play until the World Cup final. Against Italy? The playoffs are tough, but I hope they qualify because they have to be at the World Cup.”