AC Milan signing Junior Messias owes much for his career to Città di Varese coach Ezio Rossi.

Rossi has recalled how he worked to get Messias into the semi-pro game in Italy while the former Crotone midfielder was working delivering refrigerators.

"I had no team at that time, so I was coaching a group of political refugees. A friend of mine, Roberto Arena, once invited me to watch a game saying: 'Come with me, there is a Brazilian player who is quite good," Rossi told Tutti Convocati on Radio 24.

“I did it and I saw this talented player. I spoke to him at the end of the match and we met a few days later in a bar. It was during a break from his work, he was moving and delivering refrigerators. I told him that I could have helped him enter the world of football, at least at an amateur level.

“However, he told me his story, he said that he had tried to become a footballer and that at that time he hadn't got a visa even if he was eligible to apply for it. He didn't want to lose his job and I could not convince him. He didn't believe he could become a footballer," Rossi revealed.

“Four months later, I was appointed as Casale's coach in Italy's fifth division and he was the first person I called. I knew he was really strong, but I knew nothing about his attitude. He'd never been a footballer before. I think he only played in the Brazilian third division.

“We managed to get him a visa and I must thank the club because they allowed me to sign a player that nobody knew. His salary was €1,500 a month and that's how his career began.

“The story is not over. I texted him to say that every goal he reaches must be the motivation to do something more. He has the right attitude, so I hope that's what will happen."