Sometimes fairy-tales do become reality. Junior Messias' move to AC Milan being one of those fairy-tales. We speak to two of the coaches who were a part of the Brazilian's meteoric rise through the tiers of Italian football, learning about the player both on and off the field.

Although Alexis Saelemaekers discovered his passion for football later than most, it blossomed at an astonishing rate.
Hard work, self-sacrifice and a profound team spirit were the secrets to his rise. And they were to reason he has become a mainstay in Stefano Pioli's Milan side.
A tireless and versatile midfielder, whose greatest asset is his enthusiasm.

Honest, authentic, loyal and always self-critical: just a handful of adjectives to describe Rino Gattuso's temperament, and the qualities that pushed him to reach great heights over his cover; at AC Milan and with the Italian national team.

Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan has found much more than a central defender in Simon Kjær: he’s a natural born leader, a centre of balance and solidity for the team on the field and in the dressing room.
And his goal at Old Trafford will live long in our memories.

“AC Milan, alongside Marseille, was the greatest point of my career”: the thoughts of Jean Pierre Papin when he thinks back to his years in Rossonero, cherishing the memories of those two seasons; following the arrival of two fellow Frenchmen: Giroud and Maignan.

You never know what you have until you've lost.
Alexandre Pato was perhaps too young to understand when he first arrived at AC Milan, but a decade later he still thinks about those years and wonders what could have been.

The Rossoneri’s legacy and victories in the Coppa Italia, despite certain periods of draught. AC Milan’s story in the national cup from 1962 to 2002.

Never at the centre of the limelight, Cristian Brocchi achieved many great things thanks to his resolute spirit, intensity and mental strength. A true symbol of what AC Milan is.

What does being at AC Milan mean? Wearing the jersey and representing the Club on and off the field? Of the many things former players have said about the Club, Alessandro Nesta’s stand out: “You would need a 12-episode series to talk about what it’s like to be at Milan”

Although Hernan Crespo’s stay at Milan was short, the 2004/05 season was a unique and unrepeatable experience that stemmed from the Argentinian’s rapport with Carlo Ancelotti.