Rafael Leão has announced his intention to leave AC Milan this summer, bringing an end to his seven-year spell with the club. The Portuguese forward stated he feels he has given everything he could to Milan and is now seeking a new challenge in a different league, according to an interview with SportTv.
Leão arrived at Milan from Lille in 2019 for a reported €24 million, initially as a promising young talent. While he didn’t immediately impact the team under then-manager Marco Giampaolo, he blossomed under Stefano Pioli, becoming a key figure in the club’s Serie A title win in 2022, where he was also named the league’s best player. He also led the team to a Champions League semi-final the following season.
Despite his early success, Leão’s form has fluctuated in recent seasons. While consistently contributing goals, he hasn’t reached the same heights as during the Scudetto-winning campaign. His performances under recent managers Paulo Fonseca, Christophe Galtier and Massimiliano Allegri were described as lacking decisiveness, and he faced criticism and jeers from fans in the latter stages of the recently concluded season. He departs having made 291 appearances for the Rossoneri, scoring 80 goals.
Leão is currently with the Portuguese national team preparing for an unspecified tournament and has stated his immediate focus is on international duty. He will evaluate his options for his future club career at a later date, expressing a desire to continue competing at the highest level of European football. Potential destinations include Spain’s La Liga, England’s Premier League, or potentially the Saudi Pro League, though he did not comment on specific clubs. This move marks the end of an era for both the player and the club, leaving a void in Milan’s attack.
