Gimenez on Milan ‘childhood dream,’ faith, nickname and playing with joy | OneFootball

Santiago Gimenez reveals he had ‘dreamed of Milan since I was a kid’ and wore a Kaka jersey, how he got his nickname and is ready to face Feyenoord.

The centre-forward is the first ever Mexico international to play for the Rossoneri and already made an impact on his debut, providing the assist for a goal from fellow debutant Joao Felix in the Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Roma.

“I was passionate about football since childhood and grew up at a time when Serie A was the best league, so I always watched their games,” Gimenez told Milan TV while playing table football.

Some photographs emerged of him as a kid wearing Kaka’s Milan jersey, proof of this dream come true.

“It all went exactly how I wanted. Milan was the side I was most in love with when I was young, as a I watched Kaka, Beckham, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Pirlo, Gattuso… Practically that whole squad enchanted the world.

“Since childhood, that was my dream. When they called, I said wow, I do not want to let this opportunity get away. The Kaka jersey was just one of many photographs I have of me wearing the Milan shirt and I even got to meet Kaka, who is a hero for me not just for football, but also for his faith. He inspired me and when he spoke to me, I knew Milan was the right destination.”

Gimenez has faith in Milan path

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan runs with the ball during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Gimenez was brought in to boost their poor scoring record and cannot wait to celebrate in front of the fans at San Siro.

“When I score a goal, it means something beyond football. Perhaps some say I go on too much about my faith, but I feel the need to kneel down in front of the whole stadium and millions of television viewers, as it is the best way of showing with God anything is possible.

“A striker lives for the goal and the only way to give that joy back to the fans, to repay them for the way they cheer you on, is to score many goals and make them celebrate many more times.”

The Mexican assures that his faith truly came to him when he thought his dreams of a playing career were over.

“I had a blood clot in my arm and the doctors said I would have to stop playing football. I asked why this was happening to me, my father said I could only ask God that question. My life changed in that moment.”

By a strange twist of fate, Milan will face Gimenez’s old club Feyenoord in the Champions League play-offs.

“I wanted the draw to go that way, as even if I had stayed in Rotterdam, I wanted to at least face the team I dreamed of playing for. I am very fond of Feyenoord and it will be my chance to say goodbye to the side where I had wonderful moments. It is going to be a special night.”

Gimenez has the nickname ‘Bebote’, so where did it come from?

“I have the same passion and joy for the sport that I did as a child, when you play without pressure, keeping that enjoyment of the game. I don’t want to ever lose that.

“The nickname is from my family, as my parents called me Bebote because I was big for my age. A friend of my father’s, Tito Villa, knew they called me that and once said it during a TV commentary, so it stuck.”