Rafael Leao, the Portuguese forward, has confirmed his departure from AC Milan after seven seasons with the Serie A club, with Turkish champions Galatasaray poised to become his new team.
Leao was not on the pitch as Milan secured a 2-0 victory over Venezia on Friday. Instead, he observed from the sidelines while fellow Portuguese signing Goncalo Ramos scored the winning goal on his home debut, marking a promising start to the season for the Rossoneri.
Addressing the media post-match, Leao expressed the emotional difficulty of his farewell: “It’s a tough moment saying goodbye to my teammates after seven years.” He added, “My love for the club will never leave me and I’ll always follow them,” underscoring his enduring connection to Milan despite moving on.
End of an Era and Milan’s New Chapter
Throughout his tenure at Milan, Leao made significant contributions, scoring 80 goals in 291 appearances. He played a crucial role in the club’s 2021-22 Serie A title win, cementing his status as a key figure during one of the most successful periods in recent club history. However, the latter part of his spell was marked by concerns regarding his dedication and a dip in form, which ultimately influenced the decision to part ways.
Galatasaray is reportedly set to pay a transfer fee of €45 million (approximately $52 million) to secure Leao’s services, signaling a major investment for the Turkish side.
Meanwhile, AC Milan have embarked on a rebuilding phase under new head coach Ruben Amorim, the former Manchester United manager. After narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification last season, the club has already invested heavily in fresh talent, spending €74 million to bring in Goncalo Ramos from Paris Saint-Germain. The team has begun the new campaign strongly, winning its opening two matches as it seeks to reestablish itself among Europe’s elite.