Nerea Nevado explains why she left Athletic for Milan

Nerea Nevado felt her time at Athletic had come to an end. “I felt that my chapter at Athletic was over and that I needed a change, in life as well,” she says. The left-back joined Milan last summer after seven seasons and 142 appearances in an Athletic shirt. In her first interview since leaving Lezama, she discusses life in Italy, her time at Athletic and the reasons behind the move.

The desire for a new challenge played a part in her decision, as did the opportunity offered by the Milan club. Nevado has been given an important role there, with the ambition of challenging for everything in Serie A. She says the adjustment also affected her daily routine: “At first, the gym work was a little difficult for me. After ten years at Athletic, working in a different way is different.” She now says she is well settled, both within the team and in its style of play, adding: “My confidence as a player is complete right now.”

Leaving has not ended her attachment to Athletic. Nevado says she had told the club the previous summer that she wanted to explore other options, while promising to give everything until her final day to help the team reach the highest level possible. She describes Athletic as the club where she has always been and the place she comes from. Explaining her choice of Milan, she points to the competition, the club itself, a different way of working, other styles of play and another culture. A Spanish media outlet describes Milan as a historic, powerful club known to the public.

Last season, Nevado scored twice at La Catedral. Those goals did not prevent Athletic from losing to Real Madrid (1-4) and Atlético (1-2). Asked about the possibility of Serie A matches being played at San Siro, she answers cautiously: “I think it’s possible; they may have played there last season or two years ago. For now, we don’t know.” She has not yet watched a match live, but mentions the possibility of going to see Inter. She also says she left Athletic “at peace, with my job done” and carrying many good memories from that period.