Nigel de Jong has considered that the sacrifices he has had to make to become a professional footballer have all been worth it.
The Milan man has considered what he has had to give up in life in order to take the career path that has led him to San Siro.
“I cannot say that football has taken away nothing. The point is to find a balance to achieve the objective,” De Jong has considered in the latest issue of Forza Milan.
Nigel de Jong has considered that the sacrifices he has had to make to become a professional footballer have all been worth it.
The Milan man has considered what he has had to give up in life in order to take the career path that has led him to San Siro.
“I cannot say that football has taken away nothing. The point is to find a balance to achieve the objective,” De Jong has considered in the latest issue of Forza Milan.
“It is normal that some friendships are lost along the way, mostly because many people are struggling do deal with the way of life you have.
“The other thing that perhaps you give up on is the carelessness of the guys, going out with friends and to the clubs, because obviously the training of professionals requires perseverance and commitment.
“But for me it was absolutely worth it – I make my living doing what I love to do the most, I can buy whatever I want and keep my family happy.
“If you put this on a small scale against the sacrifices, I would say that on paper it is absolutely worth it.”
The midfielder also reflected on life after the game.
“It’s hard to imagine that I will totally abandon football – I love playing, I love to train every day, I love the smell of the grass on the field.
“I do not know how many of us realise what good fortune we have in this profession, which is the secret dream of every boy in life.
“So I believe that no matter what I choose to do, it is not going to be something completed unrelated to football.”