Braida: the voice of someone who built Milan’s greatness
Ariedo Braida, the legendary sporting director of AC Milan during the golden era of Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani, gave an interview at the Festival della Serie A in Parma that quickly spread across the football world and touched the hearts of Rossoneri fans everywhere. A man who helped build Milan brick by brick, who brought world-class champions to the red and black shirt and lifted trophies across Europe, was visibly moved when reflecting on the club’s current state.
“I’m in love with Milan, I carry it in my heart”, Braida began, before delivering words that carry enormous weight: “Now I’m going to tell the truth — it almost makes me cry to see Milan in this situation. There is an identity crisis. We need to rebuild a story, because without that there is no future.”
The identity crisis: the real issue to address
Beyond the disappointing sporting results of the last season, Braida pinpoints the loss of identity as Milan’s deepest and most entrenched problem. When things don’t work on the pitch, the former director explains, it’s often because something far greater is missing: a structure, a story, a recognisable soul.
“When things aren’t going well, sporting results matter, but there’s also this identity crisis. I no longer recognise what Milan has always been — that important point of reference, starting with Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani. Something is missing that needs to give Milan new momentum.”
Powerful words, especially considering that AC Milan has been without clear leadership for weeks, with the transfer market at a standstill and players waiting for answers. Yet even amid this difficulty, Braida’s words carry a message of hope: “I wish those in charge the strength to restart from this point. The road will be long, but Milan has an important past that cannot be erased, and it will continue its future in a worthy manner, as in the past.”
On Leão: immense talent, but consistency is key
Braida also spoke about Rafael Leão, the Portuguese winger who has been at the centre of debate after publicly expressing his desire for a new adventure elsewhere. The former director didn’t mince words, while still maintaining respect for personal choices.
“I don’t want to put myself in the shoes of those responsible, but I don’t like this. Leao has extremely important qualities, but if he doesn’t transmit them on the pitch, everything is in vain. Players of great quality are hard to find today, he has them, but sometimes that’s not enough.”
A sharp and honest assessment: the Portuguese forward’s talent is beyond question, but consistent performance is what separates the good from the great. Milan needs players who put the shirt first — and Braida knows that better than anyone.
On Maldini: “He wrote Milan’s history, you can’t ignore that”
The chapter dedicated to Paolo Maldini was inevitable, given how often his name has featured in discussions about the club’s future. Asked whether Cardinale had viewed Maldini as a “one-man show”, Braida replied with conviction and deep respect for history:
“Maldini, starting with his father, wrote the history of Milan. First the father, then Paolo — they won every cup and every Champions League. You cannot ignore history.”
A statement carrying a clear message: whoever wants to rebuild Milan cannot do so without respecting those who built that history in the first place.
On Ibrahimović: “He must have the humility to learn”
The final topic Braida addressed was Zlatan Ibrahimović, whose hybrid role within the club — part strategic consultant, part brand ambassador, part RedBird fund partner — continues to raise questions. The Swede is a legendary champion, nobody disputes that, but running a football club is a completely different craft.
“Ibrahimovic has been a truly great champion — hats off from a footballing point of view. But even he sometimes needs to have the humility to learn.”
A gentle but pointed observation, perfectly capturing the challenge ahead for Milan: building a competent, experienced and unified leadership structure capable of supporting whoever takes charge on the Rossoneri bench next season.
A message Milan’s fans deserve to hear
Ariedo Braida’s words are not a surrender — they are a call to responsibility. Everyone who loves Milan — fans, directors, ownership — must rebuild from history, from identity, and from the values that made this club one of the greatest in the world. The Rossoneri future is built on the foundations of the past: and Braida, more than anyone, understands that.
