Paolo Maldini: Messias Has Been Talented Since 2016

DBasia.news – The name Junior Messias stole the attention after keeping AC Milan’s chance to qualify for the last 16 of the 2021-2022 Champions League. Interestingly, the talent of the 30-year-old player has been smelled by Paolo Maldini for a long time.

Messias scored the only goal of Milan’s victory when they traveled to Atletico Madrid’s headquarters on the fifth matchday of Group B, Thursday (25/11). The result revived the Rossoneri’s hopes to fight until the last match.

Milan fans and football lovers in general are certainly not familiar with the Messias. The Brazilian player has spent most of his career in the lower divisions.

The 2020-2021 season was his debut in Serie A. He became a mainstay for Crotone who had to be relegated at the end of the competition.

Milan then brought him on loan ahead of the 2021-2022 season. He has only made three appearances in all competitions so far.

Maldini accidentally saw Messias competing in 2016. At that time the player was still strengthening Chieri in Serie D and faced Pro Sesto who was strengthened by the son of the Milan legend, Christian.

Maldini considered Messias too good to appear in Serie D. This assessment was conveyed to the player’s former agent, Marcello Bonetto

“This number 7 (Messias) is very strong, definitely the most talented on the pitch. His talent was wasted for Serie D,” Bonetto said, imitating Maldini in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Unfortunately at that time Maldini was not yet a Milan official. He was only trusted to become sporting director in 2018 until now he has been promoted to technical director.

Messias himself then traveled to a number of other small clubs until he landed at Crotone in January 2019. Since then, his career began to shine.

Messias’ loan period at Milan will end in the summer of 2022. He must appear consistent to lure Stefano Pioli until the management is willing to make his status permanent.