A Milan favourite

Milan defender Ignazio Abate has said the kind of words that will endear him to Milan fans even further.

Amid speculation that PSG are snooping around for his signature, Abate has stated that he wants to stay at Milan for “as long as possible”.

Former Milan boss Leonardo deserves much credit for helping Abate’s transformation from winger to a full back, but, ‘hands off’ Leo, he is ours. And, besides, what is PSG compared to AC Milan?

Despite all the ‘new’ money that has greased the French capital club recently, they still have some way to go before being able to cut it with the big boys of Europe. The same can be said of Ligue 1.

Abate has hinted as much by saying he wants to stay at Milan forever and “who would want to?”

Talking to Gazzetta dello Sport, he added, “Leonardo has been a very important person in my career, but my contract with AC Milan ends in 2015 and my aim is to wear the Rossoneri colours for as long as possible.”

“If it was down to me, I would remain at Milan for life as I grew up here, it’s one of the most prestigious clubs in the world.”

Abate is a fan’s favourite at Milan. A tireless player on the field, his rampaging runs down the right flank afford Milan their only one reliable outlet out wide. The player has come on in leaps and bounds as a full back and Italian coach Cesare Prandelli clearly agrees having called Abate up to the national squad for the first time for the upcoming friendlies against Poland and Uruguay.