Gattuso savouring recovery

Fit-again AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso says just playing football feels like winning the Champions League.

The former Italy international made his first Serie A start for Milan since the opening day of the season in a 1-0 win over Chievo on Tuesday, after seven months on the sidelines battling an eye condition called myasthenia.

Gattuso said there were days when he thought he might never return and is now savouring every second he gets to spend on a football field.

“For me, training and playing is like winning the Champions League on a personal level,” the 34-year-old told the Milan television channel.

“If you go on Google and type in myasthenia, you’ll see that it’s a condition that takes away your muscles. But I’m here and I’m still playing.

“I feel strong and I’m proud of myself. I don’t want it to be about me though, for anyone watching who’s ill, I say that within the limits of possibility, you can still fight.

“If you feel strong, you can make it even against illness. I said back in October that it wouldn’t be easy to keep me down.”

Gattuso lasted an hour of the match in Verona, and acknowledged he struggled with the pace of the game.

“Yesterday, I only played 60 minutes, but it seemed like an eternity,” he said.

“I feel lucky, though.

“Today I’m here and even if I have to take cortisone everyday to be a player, I’ll do it because I have this passion inside of me.”