Weah confirms Milan talks with his son before Juventus move

Former striker George Weah confirmed that ex-Milan director Paolo Maldini explored a move for his son Timothy Weah before Juventus entered the picture.

The 23-year-old American wing back joined the Bianconeri last summer from Lille in a deal worth around €11m, penning a five-year contract in Turin. He’s shown some positives in his first few months at the Old Lady, scoring one goal and providing one assist across 18 games.

The elder Weah is considered a legendary striker in Milan’s history, having scored 58 goals in 147 games, and many Rossoneri fans were disappointed that the club failed to sign his son prior to his move to Juventus last year.

Speaking to Il Giornale via Calciomercato.com, Weah first discussed his nostalgia for Milan.

“How could I not have it? I spent four and a half very intense years in Milan, with great teammates and great victories.”

He touched on his split loyalties between the Rossoneri and Juventus.

“I loved Milan and their fans. I remain a Milanista, but I support Juventus. Is it possible?”

The former striker confirmed that Milan director Maldini explored a move for his son.

“We spoke with Maldini before Juventus came for Timothy. It seemed that he was interested in signing him from Lille, but nothing came of it.”

Weah reflected on Maldini’s sacking from the Rossoneri last year.

“I’m sorry for how he was treated, but there isn’t always respect for history and Paolo was the history of Milan. And even as a director, I think he did good things. He won the last Scudetto, no?”

He weighed in on the recent racism case involving Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.

“I think that Mike, in leaving the pitch, did the right thing. Those people shouldn’t enter the stadiums. Mike felt humiliated.

“Unfortunately, racism is widespread everywhere, it was like that in my time, even on the pitch, not only in the stands and in the Curvas.

“It’s a way to provoke you, they want to attack the sporting opponent, but by using racism they hurt you, they humiliate you.”

He spoke about if the punishment of a match played behind closed doors was sufficient.

“I know they closed the Udinese stadium for a match, even those who are not at fault pay, but I think it’s right like this. There should be many matches behind closed doors, perhaps people would understand that racists should be isolated.”

Finally, Weah remembered when he was handed a lengthy ban for headbutting Jorge Costa back in his playing career.

“At that time, it often happened that the opponents called me a n***** and insulted me for my skin, but he had taken things too far, doing monkey sounds for the whole match, in front of everyone, his own and my teammates, even the referee.

“Nobody protected me, I had a six-match ban, but I would do what I did again, I hope he remembered it when he found himself facing other black players. No, I didn’t never meet him again, but I don’t care.”