Milan training, day 4 – The day I met Zlatan Ibrahimovic3-Jan-2012

Legal disclaimer: before I start blabbering away about my day, you need to know the following:

1. This post is going to be incredibly cheesy so please bear with me;  it's not everyday you meet half the Milan team.

2. I'm one of those old fashioned people who don't like to post their pictures online. So in case you're wondering where I am in the pics, I've cut myself out. I'm sure you'll enjoy the remaining parts anyway

The story goes something like this …

I went to the stadium yesterday morning, geared up with my new camera & lenses, prepared for the 4th training day for Milan in Dubai this Winter. Little did I know then that this will be the day I get to meet one of my heroes.

Every time I attend a Milan training, I keep reminding myself of how lucky I am to be able to see them live, and that nothing else matters. But there's always this little voice in my head that screams for an autograph or a picture with my favorite player. In the past, I've managed to meet Maldini, Sheva, Kaka & many former Milan players. This time, the mission was to meet Zlatan.

I was snapping pictures of the players while they train, clicking away; trying to capture every moment so I can reminisce over it later & feel like I'm back to the stadium with them. When one of the gentlemen from Al Ahli Club management greeted me "why are you standing in the sunlight?" He said. "Take a seat in the shade, I'm gonna let you meet the players once they finish". Now seriously, this isn't the first time this happens. It was somewhat a deja vu of the day I met Kaka in Al Nasr Stadium back in 2007. I guess there aren't many local ladies in the UAE who are as maniac about football as I am, which is why I'm sort of put in the spotlight in such situations. Whatever the reasons, I'm eternally grateful to those guys.

Once the training ended, the gentleman let me inside the building, waiting in the reporters corridor where players pass by before going to the bus. There weren't many people inside, so I thought it should be fairly easy to get the players' attention. And sure enough, it was. The first one to come out was Pato, very relaxed, smiling & humming while signing my Milan scarf. The boy is definitely in love (LOL).

Next was Prince, quite grumpy but I can't blame him. It was very sunny yesterday and the boys worked really hard.

Abbiati, I don't think I've ever seen him with a different expression anyway

Nocerino walked in very slowly, tired as well but smiling

Nesta was as friendly as ever. I can't believe I asked him "how are you?" (what the hell kind of question is that? *rotf*). Anyways, he answered "I'm fine thank you" (well, what else do you expect BQ? #LOL).

Zambrotta, Taiwo, Mexes, Urby & Aquilani

Rino. So good to see him back with the group and really active in the training sessions

Last but not least, the Zladiator walked in (looking extremely tired though) and … And well, I started embarrassing myself again. I keep telling myself the next time I meet one of them, I'm going to stay calm. I rehearse what I'm going to say over & over again. It just never happens. Once they show up in front of me, I'm rendered speechless. The only 2 words I managed to get out were 'picture?' and 'thank you'. Pathetic.

Oh well, it was still pretty awesome

Did I mention I took more than 1000 pictures at yesterday's training? I only managed to upload about 500 of them though, and as always you can check them HERE.

02/01/2012 is a day I will never forget. Con il Milan nel cuore <3

Enjoy.