MILAN – Ex-Milan skipper and 1969 Ballon d’Or winner Gianni Rivera has given an interview in today’s edition of the Italian daily Tuttosport. Here is an extract from that interview:

“In Italy there are no longer the financial resources that once existed, and, just like what has happened in Milan, it does not surprise me: even abroad there are big clubs that are under Chinese, Russian, Arab or American ownership. In a globalized economy, it’s a normal development process. Winning the Ballon d’Or? At the time, France Football told the winner of the award between Christmas and New Year and at the first convenient opportunity they handed out the award. Now, as soon as you nominate a winner, there’s already talk about the next year’s winner! My media exposure? I was the captain, I didn’t like people treading on my toes, and if at times I intervened, I did it for the good of the dressing room and my team-mates.”