Gimenez previews ’emotional’ Feyenoord return and admits love for Milan ‘since I was a child’ | OneFootball

Santiago Gimenez has admitted that his return to face Feyenoord will be ’emotional’ and confirmed that he will not celebrate if he scores for AC Milan.

It will be strange for the majority of the fans inside De Kuip tonight, because the last time they saw their side at home in the Champions League Gimenez scored a brace as they beat Bayern Munich 3-0.

A lot has changed since then: Gimenez completed a move to Milan towards the end of the winter transfer window, and on Monday Brian Priske was sacked as the head coach.

Nonetheless, tonight gives the Rotterdam club another chance to inflict damage on a European powerhouse as they take on the Rossoneri in the first leg of the play-off tie.

Interviewed by Amazon Prime Video, Gimenez spoke about why it was a dream to move to Milan and what it will be like to return to face his old team-mates, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

Is joining Milan a love story for you?

“Exactly, Milan was that love I had since I was a child. I had the dream of playing here. I grew up watching a Milan that won everything, the one of Pirlo, Gattuso, Maldini, Nesta…

“I was little and that team enchanted me, I never wanted to take off that shirt. I have so many photos as a child with that shirt on, today this dream comes true.”

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What is your relationship with your father?

“He’s like a brother, like a friend. Obviously the person I always listen to and who I let guide me, but we act like great friends. He helped me a lot by giving me advice, watching my games and telling me what I did well or badly… Especially what I did badly.

“On the other side, then, there was my mother who always accompanied me and supported me on this path.”

Where did the ‘El Bebote’ nickname come from?

“Since I was little, my parents called me ‘bebote’ because as a child I was a ‘little giant’. Even at a few years old, I was physically big. Then, this nickname went viral all over the world.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says you are as strong as he was…

“It’s a big responsibility, but I’m happy, I have a lot of faith in his words because everything he says comes true.”

Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Why the number seven shirt?

“I chose the number 7 of Shevchenko, a legend of this club. I know it weighs a lot, but I like these challenges, I like to put myself on the line and I can only give my best.”

How will you feel returning to Feyenoord?

“In a very intense and emotional way. I am a player who puts feelings before everything else and today will be no exception.”

If you score, will you celebrate?

“No no, I won’t celebrate because it’s a team I respect a lot and they’ve given me so much.”