Gratitude

It is Thanksgiving here in the United States, a time of showing gratitude for the things that we have. This tradition comes from a group of people who were grateful to have their lives, shelter, and a bounteous harvest, even if many of them had more before immigrating to America, and many of them lost family and friends on their journey. In that perspective, we can look at Milan and the things we are grateful for with more humility and gratitude.

So much gratitude in one pic

I am thankful for…

• Maldini – he gave up his privileged life, family and spare time to come back to Milan and rebuild the club and bring it into the 21st century. Because literally, as a second-generation Milan captain who won everything at the club, no one knows Milan better than him.  He believed in the project enough to give up the life he had worked for, and put himself in the eye of the storm. Because he loves Milan that much. And so do I.

• Boban – he gave up a retired player’s dream job at FIFA where he was instrumental in getting VAR in place and so many other things. He came back to Milan to fight for the rebuilding and bringing it back to greatness, just like he famously fought the riot police at the beginning of the Yugoslav Wars, to protect the supporters of his club. It is that passion and dedication that he has shown these past five months already that makes me grateful he chose to return to Milan.

Thank you for every brilliant save, too

• Gigio Donnarumma – being crowned Italy’s Golden Boy this week, ahead of so many talented outfield players who were nominated, should make me grateful enough that he is on our team. But it is his lifelong love for the crest, his willingness to stay at a club that gives new meaning to the word implode, even when fans threatened to kill he and his family and more. His talent is even more immense than he is, and his work ethic, leadership, and passion for Milan are inspiring.

• The Squad – some of them have been through five years and three owners of Milan. Some are new. All of them signed on with the idea that Milan was going to return to Champions League greatness right away. They are primarily young, but not getting any younger, meanwhile the team seems to get further away from the goal with time. But they still take the pitch every time, despite abuse from their own fans, and they sweat blood for this shirt. And for that alone, they have my respect. I am grateful that they are not like the players at other clubs who are primadonnas, make trouble, or leave because they didn’t get what they wanted. They are here, they fight every week, and I am very grateful for that.

So grateful for these guys

Actually, when I think about it, amidst all of the emotional, financial, managerial, and ownership hardships we have endured, I have a lot to be thankful for. So at least for today, I’ll express my gratitude. And then it will be on to Parma.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

This post inspired by the music of Oingo Boingo’s “Gratitude”

Our next match is

Serie A Week 14

Parma vs. Milan

Sunday, December 1 • 15:00 CET (9am EST)