Leao: ‘My love for Milan will never end, but I wanted different goodbye’
MILAN, ITALY - MAY 24: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks on from the substitutes bench prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Cagliari Calcio at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Rafael Leao admits he ‘would’ve preferred to say goodbye on the field in front of the fans’ and his ‘love for Milan will never end’ as he flies out for Galatasaray.
The agreement was reached today for a reported fee of €43-45m plus €2m add-ons and a 20-25 per cent cut of the future sale.
He also had a proposal from Aston Villa, but their bid did not satisfy the Rossoneri or the player, who is expected to earn €12m per season in Istanbul.
It was reported that Leao would be at San Siro tonight and be given the opportunity to salute the crowd around the 2-0 Serie A victory against Venezia, but it didn’t happen and his farewell remained private.
Leao waves goodbye to Milan
“Yes, it is a difficult moment,” Leao told Sky Sport Italia.
“I said goodbye to my teammates after seven years with them. The club always helped me, it helped me to grow and made me understand what a high level is, representing a great club like Milan.
“The moment has come to say goodbye. I would’ve preferred a different salute, to say goodbye on the field once again in front of the fans, those who helped me especially during the moments that weren’t so good.
“I will remain in the history of the club, because I know what I achieved here. I will carry in my heart all those who helped me, all I can do is thank them.
“This is life, we learn, we say goodbye. It is not a love affair that ended, because the love that I have for Milan will never end. I will keep watching from afar.”
What was Leao’s happiest memory in the Milan jersey?
“When you win trophies, these are things that stay with you. I will remember those to the end.”
There were ultimately only two in his tenure, the Scudetto and the Supercoppa Italiana, although Leao was also named Serie A Player of the Year on one occasion after that title victory.
Did Leao want to remain at San Siro, or was the decision to move on this summer imposed upon him?
“These are moments when you have to make decisions. Milan remain Milan, the team is of a high level, with a great coach, and even if we didn’t spend much time together, Amorim is very good and can take Milan to achieve important things.
“He plays the kind of football that I like. I will keep watching Milan from afar and wish them all the best.”
Are there any special thanks that Leao wants to reserve for someone?
“All those who represented Milan and helped me. This is life, eras come to an end, even if Milan will continue to do wonderful things for their fans. The important thing is that Milan are at the top and continue winning. I wish them the best.”
Did he shed a tear?
“I cried a lot, naturally, there has to be emotion in these moments,” concluded Leao.
The Galatasaray directors arrived at the airport in Milan this evening with a private jet, where they will whisk Leao off to Turkiye to begin this new adventure.
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