Gimenez’s Agent Reveals All on Milan Move, Struggles in Italy and Porto Switch

FolioPitch.com – 15 October 2026 | Rafaela Pimenta, the agent of Santiago Gimenez, has opened up about her client’s turbulent spell at AC Milan and his subsequent loan move to FC Porto. In a candid interview with TNT Sports Mexico, Gimenez’s agent reveals all on Milan move struggles in Italy and Porto switch, shedding light on the difficulties the Mexican striker faced at San Siro and why a fresh start in Portugal could be the perfect remedy.

Gimenez joined Milan in January 2024, arriving with high expectations after a prolific stint at Feyenoord. However, his time in Italy proved to be a rollercoaster. He started brightly but soon endured a goal drought that extended into the following season. Multiple managerial changes, a debilitating ankle injury that required surgery, and the club’s overall instability contributed to his struggles. Pimenta believes these factors prevented Gimenez from showcasing his true potential.

“It bothers me a little that Santi’s story and what happened are being forgotten,” Pimenta said. “Santi arrived at Milan midway through the season. It’s not easy to fit into a team in January. It’s very different from arriving at the start of the season, especially when it’s a different country, a different language, a different culture, and a very different kind of football than he was used to. Then the coach changed, the entire management changed, and this year everything changed again.”

She emphasized that continuity is impossible when a club lacks a stable structure. “When the structure isn’t stable, it’s difficult for a player to find his place, especially if he’s a foreigner and is arriving in a new environment,” she explained. “You know the situation in Italy: those who arrive criticise what was done before, those who leave criticise the decisions of the previous management. It’s a bit of a political issue. I think Santi was caught up in a situation much bigger than his sporting performance. In my opinion, even considering the injuries, he didn’t have the right opportunities to express himself better.”

Despite the challenges, Gimenez’s move to Milan was a dream come true for the striker, who had supported the club since childhood. Pimenta revealed that he had numerous other offers but chose the Rossoneri for emotional reasons. “We can’t forget that Santi had many other options, but he chose Milan because, ever since he was a child, it had always been his favourite club,” she said. “Sometimes, however, a choice dictated by the heart can influence the perception of a club that, at that moment, is perhaps no longer the same as the Milan Santi knew as a child. He left many other options, many other opportunities on the table. He placed his chips on a team that is rebuilding, that needs to rebuild. I’m a Milan fan, everyone knows that, but Milan is going through a period of reconstruction. The Milan Santi knew as a child was something else. At that time, choosing Milan was difficult, and it was also the most important, the most expensive transfer under that management. Then, of course, a new management came along.”

After Goncalo Ramos joined Milan from Paris Saint-Germain for €75 million in the summer, the decision was made to part ways with Gimenez. Porto swooped in, securing the striker on loan with a conditional obligation to buy. Pimenta believes this move is ideal for her client. “I have to say I really like these three transfers. It’s one of my three favourite paths ever, because I think, at this stage of his career, Porto is the ideal team for this player,” she stated. “He’s enjoying this experience very much, and that’s the most important aspect of playing well. I think Porto and Santi are a match made in heaven, a perfect combination.”

When asked if Porto is the ideal place for Gimenez to shine again, Pimenta was unequivocal. “For me, yes. For the style of football, for his characteristics, for the people there, for his teammates and, above all, for the trust this team has in him.”

Gimenez’s agent reveals all on Milan move struggles in Italy and Porto switch, highlighting the importance of stability and trust for a player’s success. The 24-year-old now has the opportunity to rediscover his form in the Primeira Liga, where he will be hoping to recapture the scoring touch that made him one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers. For Milan, the chapter is closed, but for Gimenez, a new and promising adventure begins.

As the striker embarks on this new journey, all eyes will be on whether he can fulfill the potential that once made him a target for top clubs across the continent. Gimenez’s agent reveals all on Milan move struggles in Italy and Porto switch, offering a rare glimpse into the complexities of modern football transfers and the human element behind them. If Pimenta’s words are any indication, Porto may just be the perfect stage for Santiago Gimenez to write the next chapter of his career.