Although his tenure at AC Milan between 2017 and 2019, yielding 10 goals and 2 assists in 40 appearances, may not have etched an unforgettable memory into the hearts of Milan fans, André Silva holds dear his time under the shadow of the Madonnina. The Portuguese striker, now 29 and playing for Elche after his loan spells and subsequent permanent transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt, recently shared insights from his formative years in Italy.
In an interview with Maisfutebol, Silva recounted what it meant to join Milan eight years ago. He spoke of perceiving “the grandeur” of the club, describing it as an “unknown world” that filled him primarily with “hope.” He emphasized that this period was “an important phase for personal growth,” where he learned “to stay grounded and continuously strive for the best version of himself.”
Gattuso`s Intense Training
During his time in Milan, the former Porto forward had the opportunity to train alongside current Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who was then embarking on his coaching career. Silva characterized Gattuso`s training sessions as “intense,” with a strong focus on “ball possession in confined spaces, executed with great grit and competitive duels.” He observed that Gattuso`s coaching approach mirrored “his image as a player and offered the perspective of someone at the very beginning of their coaching journey.”
Donnarumma: A Remarkable Teammate
Reflecting on the locker room dynamics of those years, one teammate in particular left a significant impression on Silva: Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was just 18 at the time (having already debuted for the Rossoneri at 16). Silva remarked, “He was one of the best. Even back then, he was already handling a tremendous amount of pressure and always proved to be up to the task. The career he has built is absolutely no surprise.“
