Rafael Leao has openly expressed his desire to leave Milan in the near future, stating in an interview that he believes he has “given everything I have” and is seeking “a new challenge in a new league.”
This comes at a time of significant uncertainty for AC Milan, who are currently without key leadership roles including a head coach, sporting director, technical director, and CEO. Adding to the club’s concerns, reports suggest that several prominent players, including Leao, might also depart.
Leao has been a part of AC Milan for the past seven seasons, contributing to a Scudetto victory and earning the Serie A MVP award in the 2021-22 season. However, his performance reportedly suffered after being shifted from his accustomed left-wing position to a more central forward role under Massimiliano Allegri in 2025-26.
With AC Milan failing to secure Champions League qualification for the upcoming season, Italian newspapers are speculating that this might be an opportune moment for Leao to move on.
The Portuguese international has not concealed his “ambitions” to play in a league other than Serie A at some point in his career. He recently indicated in an interview his aspiration to continue playing “at the highest levels in Europe.”
While Leao has not definitively confirmed his departure from Milan this summer, he has made it clear that he intends to play elsewhere in the foreseeable future.
“Personally, I think I’ve already given everything I have in Milan,” Leao stated in an interview with Sport TV (via Sky).
“It’s a club that helped me to grow, that supported me in difficult moments and fortunately I’ve also managed to write my name in Rossoneri history.
“I think that everyone has dreams, ambitions, challenges to face. I aspire to have a new challenge in a new league. And if that were to happen, I’d be very happy. Also because I know I did a good job at Milan.”
In the immediate term, Leao’s focus is on the 2026 World Cup with Portugal. “The most important thing for me now is the World Cup. I want to have a good World Cup and to help my national team. And then, when the time comes, I will study the best options for the future of my career, to continue competing at the highest level in Europe.”
