Leao intent on leaving Milan for a new league
AC Milan failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, finishing fifth in Serie A, and star forward Rafael Leao has announced he now wants to leave the club.
Leao joined Milan from Lille in 2019, and has gone on to score 80 goals and provide 55 assists in 291 appearances across all competitions for the Rossoneri.
In 2025-2026, though, he managed just 13 goal involvements, having started 25 games.
Now, Leao, whose tally of 135 goal involvements since the start of the 2019-2020 season is 60 more than any other Milan player in that time, has confirmed he wants to depart the club.
"Personally, I've given everything at AC Milan. It's a club that helped me grow a lot and supported me through tough times," the 26-year-old said.
"Fortunately, I managed to make my mark in their history. Everyone has ambitions and I dream of a new challenge in a new league.
"If that happens, I'll be very happy and fulfilled because I did my job at AC Milan."
For now, Leao is focusing on Portugal's upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, but he has set his sights at competing at the pinnacle of the European game.
"The most important thing now is the [FIFA] World Cup and helping the national team in any way I can," he added.
"When the time comes, I'll look at the best options to continue my career and keep competing at the top of European football."
