The Portuguese striker breaks the silence and opens up to SportTv about his farewell in the summer: “Milan made me grow and supported me in difficult moments, but now I feel the need to try something new”
From the summer of 2019 to yesterday. Rafa Leao’s history at Milan lasted seven years: now the credits are rolling. By Rafa himself: “I think I gave Milan everything I could give. It was a club that helped me a lot to grow, that supported me in difficult moments. I’m happy to have managed to write my name in the club’s history. I want to try a new challenge in a new championship. And if this were to happen, I would be very happy and satisfied, because it would mean that I did my job in the best possible way.” Words spoken on SportTV, in Portugal, during an event organized by one of the brands for which he is a testimonial. Rafa is already far from Milan, in Lisbon, and at this point he will only return in passing. The story ended here. Spain, Premier League or Saudi Arabia? “No, right now the most important thing is the World Cup, helping the national team and doing well. Then, when the time comes, I will evaluate my options to continue my career and continue to compete at the highest levels of European football.”
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Rafa arrived at Milan from Lille in the summer of 2019 for 24 million: a very promising young player. And in fact it took time and the club waited for it: its first Rossoneri coach was Marco Giampaolo. A very young Leao had not left his mark. He will do it, indelible, with Pioli at the helm: 2022 Italian champion with the title of best player in the championship. Rafa star of the Milan championship, technical leader and symbol of the fans. A year later Leao himself was the driving force behind the team until the Champions League semi-final derby.
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But then certain peaks were never reached again: disappointing seasons, even if his contribution in front of goal was never lacking. However, he leaves with the feeling that he could have done more: in the Portuguese management of Fonseca and Conceiçao he did not make a decisive contribution, as he did with Allegri in the season just ended. Worse: in recent matches the insolent and listless player had returned, always accompanied off the pitch by whistles. There will be no opportunity to bring back the applause, Leao has chosen to say goodbye. It ends here, with 291 Rossoneri appearances and 80 goals.
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