Davide Bartesaghi is living the dream—and he wants it to last forever. The 20-year-old AC Milan starlet recently opened up about his deep connection to the Rossoneri, revealing both his ambition to stay at the club for life and a surprising gift from teammate Rafael Leao. "This is a magnificent club," Bartesaghi said, reflecting on his journey.

A product of Milan's youth system, Bartesaghi has worn the red and black his entire career. This season, he's firmly broken into the senior squad, making 30 competitive appearances and contributing two goals and one assist. In a recent interview on the Off The Pitch podcast with club legend Serginho, he shared his thoughts on the team's storied past and his own future.

"It was a different Milan when you were there—so many champions and a different atmosphere," Bartesaghi told Serginho. "I started watching Milan play a little later than that." But the young defender is already writing his own chapter. He recently signed a new contract that runs through June 2030, and he's determined to follow in the footsteps of one-club icon Paolo Maldini. "It is my dream to stay at Milan for as long as possible," he said. "The history speaks for itself."

Bartesaghi, primarily a left-back, already has a trophy to his name. He played a key role in last season's Supercoppa Italiana triumph, a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Inter. "It was totally unexpected, but we still believed we could do it," he recalled. "That was my first trophy—one of those moments I will never forget. Moving from the youth team to the senior squad was indescribable, a dream come true."

Despite Milan's recent stuttering form, which has them clinging to third place in Serie A, Bartesaghi insists the dressing room remains positive. "We must always be respectful of the older players, be eager to listen and learn, but also have your say, not just stay silent," he advised. As for that surprising gift from Rafael Leao? Bartesaghi didn't share every detail, but the gesture clearly reflects the camaraderie within the squad—a bond that could help Milan bounce back stronger.

For fans dreaming of a new Maldini, Bartesaghi offers hope. "I know I have to keep going and do far more than I did this season," he said. "I hope many more kids can experience this in future."