Milan’s Alphadjo Cisse Embraces Pressure and Names Balotelli as Role Model
Milan starlet Alphadjo Cisse expressed his admiration for Mario Balotelli, declaring the former international as his “without a doubt” role model. During a press conference at Coverciano today, Cisse shared insights about his impressive journey at Milan and highlighted fellow teammate Mattia Liberali.
Cisse, who has scored eight goals across all competitions this season, stated his commitment to continuous improvement. “I have the desire to always prove myself, to stay hungry, and to show my qualities. It’s been an intense few months, and I hope to have many more like them,” he shared in the press briefing attended by Football Italia.
Discussing Liberali, who is also receiving his first senior Azzurri call-up, Cisse remarked on his strengths, particularly his effectiveness in playmaking. “Liberali’s biggest strength is definitely his play: his through balls and final pass are among his best qualities. As for a defect, I’d say he can be a bit touchy at times,” Cisse noted with a smile.
Cisse had a challenging debut season while on loan at Catanzaro due to injury but found positivity in his rehabilitation process. “The injury was a difficult moment, but rehabilitation brought a positive shift. I handled it well; I approached the injury in the right way, and by the time I arrived at Milanello, my confidence was high,” he explained.
He also revealed his flexibility on the pitch, stating, “I can play in every position. I don’t know if I can say which one I prefer, but I can play anywhere in attacking areas.” Cisse expressed gratitude for the warm welcome he received from his Milan teammates, acknowledging the significant difference between Serie B and Serie A.
Cisse praised his previous coach, Alberto Aquilani, attributing much of his confidence to him. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out for him at Sassuolo, but I’d bet he’ll have a great career as a coach,” he said. He emphasized the importance of winning at Milan, stating, “At Milan, I think winning is always the priority, whether it’s the Scudetto or any other competition.”
Reflecting on his influences, Cisse stated, “I don’t think it’s fair to give one person more credit than others. In the first few months last year, Aquilani had a huge influence on me, but I owe a lot to everyone.”
Cisse recently made headlines with his impressive performances, including scoring his first goals at San Siro. With the possibility of making his senior Azzurri debut soon, he remarked, “Returning to San Siro with the national team would be even more special. I’m very ambitious, and playing for the national team is a source of pride.”
Lastly, when asked about his role model in Italy, Cisse concluded, “Without a doubt, I’d say Balotelli. He’s always been a role model for me on the national team.”
