'I cried, I was ‌moved': Leao bids farewell to AC Milan ahead of Galatasaray switch

[p]A product of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/sporting-cp/tljXuHBC/"]Sporting's[/a] academy, the 27-year-old has been ‌capped 49 times by his country and represented Portugal ‌at the 2022 and 2026 World Cups. He joined [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/ac-milan/8Sa8HInO/"]Milan[/a] from ‌French side [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/lille/pfDZL71o/"]Lille[/a] in 2019.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/leao-rafael/AqOPWN5s/"]Leao[/a] became a key figure for ‌the seven-time European champions, scoring 80 goals and providing 65 assists in 291 appearances across all competitions. He helped Milan win the Serie ‌A title in 2021/22 and the Italian Super ⁠Cup in the 2024/25 ‌season.[/p][p]According to media reports, Milan have accepted a €45 million offer from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/galatasaray/riaqqurF/"]​Galatasaray[/a] for Leao, whose contract with the Italian club runs until June 2028.[/p][embed guid="a1c28b35-2c3f-4b2f-b20e-0fa83ca0f887" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2093358252410941598" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"It's a difficult time,"[/b] Leao told ​Sky Sport Italy on Friday after [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/ac-milan-8Sa8HInO/venezia-MkPmVv50/?mid=fciFyZo2"]Milan's 2-0 Serie A win over Venezia[/a] at the San Siro, where he was not ⁠part of the ​squad.[/p][p][b]"I've said goodbye to my teammates after seven years.[/b][/p][p][b]"Milan helped me grow and understand what top-flight football is all about. The time has come to say goodbye. I might have liked to say ‌goodbye in a different way. The fans supported me even during the tough times.[/b][/p][p][b]"I know what I've achieved here; I'll go down in the club's history. All I can do is say thank you."[/b][/p][p]Milan appointed former Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim as manager in June after a disappointing campaign last season that saw them miss out on Champions League qualification.[/p][image alt="Rafael Leao's recent domestic seasons in numbers" id="0264f4a5-015f-460c-a2b3-5f5557ea2d37" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="c81a630d-9521-4a3e-a0f0-b80143a1ff05" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]They have since made a strong start to the new Serie A ‌season, winning their opening two matches.[/p][p][b]"My love for Milan will never ​end; even from afar, I'll always be watching them,"[/b] ‌Leao added.[/p][p]"There are times when you have to make a decision and choose a different path.[/p][p][b]"Today, Milan showed great quality and have a great manager. He's someone who can help Milan win major trophies. It's the sort of football ⁠I like...[/b][/p][p][b]"Life doesn't end ⁠here. I cried, I was ‌moved."[/b][/p][infobox id="a26dc69f-5d29-48c9-8d0f-786c18f76a2b" /]