Sottil ‘left speechless’ by Milan call | OneFootball

New Milan signing Riccardo Sottil admits the Rossoneri’s call ‘left him speechless’ and reveals a message he received from ex-Rossoneri midfielder Yacine Adli before moving to San Siro.

The Italian winger joined Milan on loan with an option to buy from Fiorentina on the deadline day.

“First of all, I want to thank Fiorentina, President Commisso, Director Pradé, and Raffaele Palladino for allowing me to take this very important opportunity,” Sottil said at his unveiling press conference on Thursday via MilanNews.

“I also want to thank CEO Furlani, Ibrahimovic, and Moncada for believing in me. I had a soft spot for Pato, and I won’t even mention Zlatan because when he was here with Pato and Ronaldinho, I grew up watching that Milan. It’s been a passion of mine since I was a child.”

Sottil’s Milan move was quite unexpected, as the winger even trained with Fiorentina in the morning before receiving a call from his agent.

Sottil ‘left speechless’ by Milan call

TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Riccardo Sottil of Fiorentina celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on December 29, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

“It was a long day. I was at the training ground when my agent called me after training, but I didn’t answer immediately. Then Giuseppe Riso told me there was a chance to join Milan, and I was left speechless,” said Sottil.

“I talked to my dad, who already knew from the morning, and I managed to get here at the last moment of the transfer window. I felt a bit anxious and waited at home on the couch, but thank God it all worked out as I had hoped.

“When you are at Milan, in a club like this, the expectation is to win. I am here to give my all for my teammates and the coach, and I want to prove that I deserve to stay here,” he continued.

The 25-year-old revealed he chose the No.99 as he was born in 1999.

“When you arrive here, you understand the greatness of this club in every detail, on and off the pitch,” he added.

“I’ve joined a team with incredible players, and when you get here, you compete, mature, and improve in every aspect. I had a quick chat with the coach, he asked me how I was physically. But I am at his disposal, and he will know when and where to play me. I’m ready to play.

“I have played in multiple attacking roles, mainly as a right and left winger. If I need to play on the right, I will, and if I need to play on the left, I’ll do that too.

“In modern football, you have to play both phases. Even if you are an attacking winger, you must help the team. Everyone has to contribute to win, and I want to do that in both phases.”

Sottil crossed paths with ex-Milan midfielder Adli at Fiorentina in the first part of the season.

“I had spoken to Adli when he first arrived at Milan. Two days ago, he sent me a message saying, ‘Make me dream.’ I thank him because he’s a great guy,” Sottil said.

The Italian winger will share the dressing room with one of the best left-wingers in Europe, Rafael Leao.

“Rafa is an incredible player. One can learn so much from someone like him,” insisted Sottil.

“He has immense talent, and you have to ‘steal’ with your eyes. His movements, his tricks, the way he moves. He is a champion and had an outstanding season when Milan won the Scudetto.”

Sottil debuted as a substitute last night in a 3-1 win over Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals, receiving a warm welcome from his new fans.

“It was an incredible feeling because when San Siro shouts your name, it gives you an unbelievable boost. I dreamed about this as a kid, and I want to give my all for this jersey and these fans.”