Emerson Royal has not had the easiest time since joining AC Milan, but Brazil and Rossoneri legend Cafu has offered him some supportive words.
When it was revealed that Milan were tracking Emerson, there was an initial backlash, and this only grew when it was announced that the club were serious about signing the Tottenham Hotspur defender.
Since arriving, he has been rather up-and-down, with performances inconsistent. However, he has shown occasionally that he may be a bargain, especially against Inter, where reports suggested that his signing had balanced the squad.
The Diavolo will probably be active in the right-back mercato in the simmer with Davide Calabria set to depart the club, so he must solidify himself in the position in months to come, and few people are better to advise him than Cafu.
Today, the Brazilian icon spoke to Milan about the upcoming fixture against Red Star Belgrade, whilst also offering some help to Emerson, and Milan News have relayed his words.
What memories do you have of Milan v Red Star?
“It was a beautiful match. In fact, both games were. We knew it was a delicate, difficult match but one that we could win and from there we could get where we are now.”
What was Cafu like at the time?
“I was a young man of experience, I was 36 years old (laughs, ed). I always tried to do well, I felt very good. The World Cup was over, I wanted to forget that World Cup and I threw myself 100 per cent into Milan. After the World Cup, I had 10 days off, I started training straight away for this important game.”
On winning the Champions League in 2007…
“After we lost the one in 2005 we had the opportunity to win almost with the same team. It meant we had the trust of the club and the coach and that was a very important thing. Because anywhere a team that loses a final like we lost it against Liverpool would have undone it.
“But no, the coach had faith in us and we had faith in the coach and we said to ourselves: ‘We have the chance to win the Champions League again’. And we won two years later.”
On Milan at the time…
“With AC Milan it was very easy to get to the crucial moments, because we had players like Shevchenko and Inzaghi who could get to the balls we gave them. The stadium at that time was always nice and tough, also because we had an incredible team. At every Milan game the stadium was full.”
On Emerson Royal…
“Emerson also played in the national team, we know of his potential and ability. I hope he can do well in this team, in this club that is beautiful. He has to be himself, he has to have the personality to play the way he plays in Brazil and the way he played to get here at AC Milan.”
