News · 20 June 2022

Simon Kjær in La Gazzetta dello Sport - The full story

Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport published an article about Simon Kjær and here it is. What we learned today: the definition of 'holiday' according to Simon Kjær. And much more.

Previously on 'Simon Kjær Holiday Vibes'

Before we dive into the Gazzetta article, let's have a quick look at what happened before. On June 15, 2022, Simon Kjær visited a youth summer camp in Sweden. And AC Milan officially chose Davide Calabria as the new captain. But we know: there's only one captain. And he's from Denmark.

So, what happened after his visit to Sweden? La Gazzetta dello Sport is giving some answers to that. One quick note: all pictures are old (or so). No new pictures. But they're good.

La Gazzetta dello Sport: "Un taglio al passato", A cut from the past

Kjær, extraordinary for Milan
Forget injury and ... beard

A beard cut, an exception to the rule, an extra champion for Milan who will defend the Scudetto. And to properly defend, professors like Simon Kjær, a column of the wall erected by Pioli in unsuspected times, are needed: before the Kalulu explosion, before Tomori's maturity, Kjær was already there. A defense leader, alongside whom the younger comrades have grown up, and not only that, because with Simon and Ibra all Milan changed face two years ago: like a totem in each penalty area, and the "Devil" changed his pace.

Now it's finally Simon's time to see the turning point, the clues are two but they are enough to make a proof. First: he trimmed the Viking beard he sported during the title celebrations: he did that on May 30, when he joined the Danish national team for three days, before his victory over France in the Nations League.

That look was a little promise: "I'll cut my beard when I get back on the pitch."

Almost accomplished.

And here we come to the second clue: for the AC Milan players involved with the national teams, the agenda includes ten more days of holidays, but Kjær will be there at July 4th meeting.

Five months away from the pitch are too many, especially for a workaholic like him who is very much loved a lot on the pitch: in 2021 he was given a renewal until 2024 and an 18th place at the Ballon d’Or, on the podium of defenders after Chiellini and Bonucci, champions of Europe with Italy, then the knee crash forced him to suffer as a spectator in the championship fight.

"He had made a small promise: "I'll take it off when I'm ready to go back." He will also work during holidays and will resume before the others, Pioli will find the "totem" back in defense."

- La Gazzetta dello Sport about Simon Kjær

No-stop. Those close to him say that Kjær lives the countdown with great optimism and determination: every detail of his daily work is aimed at being ready for the preseason. Patience will be needed because the recovery times from a cruciate ligament break require caution, but Kjær's trust comes from afar: in April he returned to Milanello, to begin the recovery process, and the re-athletics continued until the end of the championship.

In agreement with the club and with the medical staff coordinated by Dr. Mazzoni, Simon worked in the same way in the national team: no training with the group, only exercises foreseen by the program already in progress with Milan. After a couple of days of vacation, he returned to Milanello and got busy until last week.

A summer lived at the same pace even now that the 33-year-old Dane is on vacation with his family: the program includes plenty of relaxation but also a good dose of exercise - always under the advice of the Rossoneri's doctors - to get in a good shape at the meeting (in reality he will start working again a week before the others). Progressively, the minutes on the pitch will also increase: fragments of matches and friendly matches, then the gradual return with the group.

"Progressively, the minutes on the pitch will also increase: fragments of matches and friendly matches, then the gradual return with the group."

- La Gazzetta dello Sport about Simon Kjær

A year ago, these days, hashtags such as #KjærCapitano were trending on social media: in the eyes of the Milan fans, the gesture of the Dane at the European Championship, where Eriksen was rescued in cardiac arrest and saved his life, deserves to be rewarded with the headband. "A captain is already there and his name is Romagnoli. I don't care about the band, I always give my all and anyway", Kjær explained.

Simon is preparing to give his best as always. This is enough for Milan to feel even more protected. (End)

So, that was the full story about Simon Kjær in La Gazzetta. Let's reflect on what they're saying.

Simon Kjær and the definition of 'holiday'

Simon Kjær's holiday was like this. "After a couple of days of vacation, he returned to Milanello and got busy until last week", says La Gazzetta. And: "Now that the 33-year-old Dane is on vacation with his family: the program includes plenty of relaxation but also a good dose of exercise."

What can we make of this? First of all, Simon Kjær doesn't do holiday. He just keeps on going. Second, he is on holiday right now. But of course, with a good dose of exercise.

The concept of 'working hard' gets a whole new definition because of Simon Kjær.

Simon Kjær official pre season start on July 4

One final thing to wrap this up. La Gazzetta is saying that Simon Kjær will return with the Milan squad on July 4, 2022. Which is amazing. And he will do some friendly matches. So, that would mean that he might play against FC Köln on July 16, 2022.

Thank you Lars. And thank you Emanu for revising the translation.

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