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By Abiodun Adewale
AC Milan forward Samuel Chukwueze says his time away from his club to play at the Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria won’t be worth it if he fails to win the tournament, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The winger is among three players in the Nigerian squad along with Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, who are playing in the Italian Serie A.
Before joining Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, he has made 19 appearances for the Rossoneri in all competitions, scoring twice from four outings in the Champions League.
“I can’t leave Milan to come here and not win a trophy, I really need it. I want to make my country proud and I don’t want to waste my club’s time for nothing. I have to fight for my position and win,” Chukwueze said via Calciomercato.
The winger also said the main difference between the Serie A and the Spanish LaLiga was the physical style of play in the Italian topflight.
The Nigerian joined Milan from Villarreal before the start of the new season for a reported €28m, including add-ons.
At the Spanish club, the winger scored 37 goals and provided 31 assists in 207 games for the senior team but he is yet to make much impact in Italy.
Asked by reporters whether he preferred Serie A or LaLiga, Chukwueze said, “I prefer both. In Spain, everything is done on the ball. In Italy, everything is more physical, it’s a question of adapting. For me, it’s a new challenge, I’m learning, but I have to continue working to adapt.
“When I was in the museum, I saw the seven Champions Leagues, the Ballon d’Ors, it was a fantastic feeling because Milan is one of the biggest clubs in the world, with a big profile, where (Marco) van Basten, Kaka, (Andriy) Shevchenko played.
“There is a little bit of pressure and everything, but for me it is a dream come true.”