Emerson Royal discusses working with Fonseca, San Siro ‘shivers’ and Milan’s Brazil connection | OneFootball

Emerson Royal has spoken about his time at AC Milan so far, including the Brazilian connection the club has and working with head coach Paulo Fonseca.

Having joined from Spurs during the summer transfer window, Emerson has seized the starting right-back spot from the club captain Davide Calabria, which is no easy feat.

While his performances continue to divide opinion, it seems that Fonseca wanted a defender with different characteristics on the right side, having liked what he saw from the Brazilian at Spurs.

The former Real Betis and Barcelona man is expected to start one again tomorrow, especially given that Calabria has ended up in the centre of a storm after reacting badly to being taken off.

Emerson Royal gave an interview to Lega Serie A ahead of Milan’s game against Genoa on Sunday, which will celebrate the 125th anniversary of the club’s foundation. MilanPress relayed his comments.

Where does the nickname ‘Royal’ come from?

“The nickname ‘Royal’ comes from a brand of jelly beans. When I was little I had a big mouth and my aunt said that I cried a lot and that I looked like the mascot of that brand.

“Even my friends started calling me Royal to make fun of me and it stuck because even today they call me Royal more than Emerson.”

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What was your childhood like?

“I grew up in a favela. I was motivated because many people think it is dangerous, but in reality there are places like that all over the world.

“I learned a lot from there because everyone is hungry to succeed, everyone wants to grow and change their lives, including me, even though I was told it was impossible. But I didn’t stop believing and in the end I did it.

“When I go back to Brazil I always try to convey motivation, when I go back to the favela I go and talk to the children to make them understand that there are alternatives to crime, drugs and alcohol: they must be able to look beyond the neighbourhood.

“I always smile because I am a happy person, I believe that a smile can cure everything. I try to live every day with a smile. Obviously life is not only made up of good moments, everyone faces difficulties.

“But I try to live my life focusing on the positive side of things, whether it’s in training, in a match or at home. No matter where, I will always try to smile and infect the people around me with happiness.”

Milan has a connection with Brazil…

“Milan is an iconic team for us Brazilians. Ronaldinho, Kaka, Cafu, Pato, Robinho are all great players who have played for Milan. I think they have left a great legacy here: a joyful way of playing that transmits happiness on the pitch.”

Is Cafu an inspiration?

“He is a player who inspired me a lot, as did Dani Alves. Cafu was a very aggressive player in attack, but also careful in defence. Both are strong in both phases and are a source of inspiration for me.”

What are your characteristics?

“I think I’m a versatile player: I can stay more locked in and defend, but also push forward in the offensive phase. I don’t have a real preference between the two, it depends on what the coach asks me to do.

“If he asks me to help build from the back I do it, if he asks me to push forward in attack I’m ready. I’m always at his disposal.”

What was it like working with Antonio Conte at Spurs?

“He is a coach who transmits all his passion for football. He helped me a lot to improve my mentality because in training he put us to the test a lot. He always demands the maximum and he was very important for me because he gave me a lot of self-confidence.”

And what is Fonseca like?

“He is a coach who wants to attack and press high. I think his way of playing aligns with my characteristics. He is someone who really likes to coach, explain and help players grow. We often talk in training about my position and what I will have to do in the match.”

What is it like playing at San Siro?

“When I saw San Siro full of fans for the first time I got the shivers. I was at Tottenham and we had come for the Champions League. The atmosphere was magical and from that moment I understood that I would have wanted to experience it as a Milan player too.

“It is a legendary stadium known throughout the world, not just in Brazil. Playing at home with this atmosphere is a real privilege.”