Rijkaard reflects on time at Milan, praises fans and shares thoughts on Reijnders | OneFootball

Frank Rijkaard was a special guest at Milanello recently, and he reflected on the time he spent at AC Milan while also praising Tijjani Reijnders.

Rijkaard is regarded as one of the best midfielders to ever play the game, having played for Ajax, Real Zaragoza and Milan. With Ajax he won five league titles and the 1994–1995 Champions League, then with Milan he also scooped domestic success plus the 1988–89 and 1989–90 European Cups.

He amassed 73 caps for the Netherlands national team and he was in the squad that won the 1988 European Championship, also playing in a couple of World Cups alongside his compatriots Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten.

Rijkaard recently visited Milanello to meet with Paulo Fonseca and the team, and he gave an interview with Milan TV.

How does it feel to be back?

“Thank you for the welcome, it was special especially because it’s my first time here. It’s impressive. I’m very proud to have been part of this great club, with all these great players.

“I have great memories, in general I had the best time as a player here. I played in the strongest team of my career, I owe a lot to Milan. I was lucky to have had the opportunity to play for this great club.”

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Do you remember that goal against Benfica?

“Every year I look back on this goal, it was a great moment. I think the most important thing was working as a team, it gives you a great sense of joy to do things for the team, for the club.”

That all-Dutch Ballon d’Or podium with Gullit and Van Basten must stick out…

“It’s unique to have three players from one country on the Ballon d’Or podium. It was an honor to be with these great players like van Basten and Gullit. We don’t live in the past, we have to move forward, but every now and then we talk about that Milan.”

Have you been following Reijnders’ progress?

“I’m very happy for him. He’s doing very well, he’s very good. We Dutch are rooting for him. He’s doing a good job and I hope he can continue like this.

“He’s fun to watch, you can see he wants to play. He doesn’t go back with the ball, he always looks for the space. He’s an interesting player.”

Finally, a message to the fans?

“The fans have always been wonderful. The only thing I can say right now is Forza Milan always!”