Davide Calabria reflects on Milan exit: “To no longer wear the shirt of my favourite team was a really hard blow” | OneFootball

AC Milan favourite and former captain Davide Calabria recently gave a lengthy interview and addressed the emotions surrounding his Rossoneri departure.

The 29-year-old right-back left Italy in August for Panathinaikos, officially ending an 18-year association with Milan after a brief loan to Coppa Italia-winning Bologna hinted at an exit. That said, even if he couldn’t get into the first team, Calabria’s move came as a shock, especially after developing through the youth ranks.

“It all happened so quickly. It was a bit of a surreal moment. I was leaving Milanello (Milan’s training ground) and never coming back. And I had a hard time accepting it after so many years. I thought I’d never see all the people who work there again, and my teammates, who told me not to go. They thought I should have stayed, and they still tell me that. To the fans, who, I think are the best in the world. To no longer wear the shirt of my favourite team was a really hard blow.”

Calabria made a total of 272 appearances for Milan, with a trophy cabinet boasting of such honours as 2021–22’s Scudetto, and two Supercoppa Italianas. The defender revealed how he was in two minds through the entire saga.

“On the one hand, I realised how much so many people cared and loved me, both inside and outside Milanello. It made me very happy. On the other hand, you wonder how right it is to leave the team and the environment when you really want to stay.”

Panathinaikos signed Calabria on a three-year deal after his Milan contract expired, and announced his acquisition on the 18th of August. Looking back to his exact final moments at the club, the seven-cap Azzurri international recounted his exit with an immense amount of emotion as well as acceptance.

“When I received the official announcement of my departure, I walked around the Milanello pitches, cried a lot, and said goodbye to everyone, in disbelief that it was really happening. I grabbed my things and left, knowing that the next day I wouldn’t be returning. it wasn’t easy, but I had to accept it in order to move on.”

GIFN | Max Bradfield