Rafael Leao Departs AC Milan for Galatasaray: ‘My Love for Milan Will Never End’

FolioPitch.com – 29 August 2026 | In an emotional farewell, Rafael Leao has completed his move from AC Milan to Galatasaray, and the Portuguese winger has made it clear that ‘Leao My love for Milan will never end but I wanted different goodbye’ are sentiments that will resonate for years to come. The 27-year-old, who spent seven seasons at San Siro, leaves after helping the Rossoneri capture the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana, but the manner of his departure has left a bittersweet taste.

The transfer, finalized on Friday, sees Galatasaray pay a reported fee of €43-45 million plus €2 million in add-ons, with AC Milan retaining a 20-25 percent sell-on clause. Leao is expected to earn €12 million per season in Istanbul, a significant increase on his previous wages. Aston Villa also made a bid, but neither the player nor Milan were satisfied with the proposal, paving the way for the Turkish giants to secure his signature.

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia before boarding a private jet to Turkiye, Leao admitted the goodbye was harder than he anticipated. ‘Yes, it is a difficult moment,’ he said. ‘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.’

What clearly pains him most is not being able to salute the fans in person. There were reports he would be at San Siro for Saturday’s 2-0 Serie A win over Venezia, but the farewell remained private. ‘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,’ he explained. ‘Leao My love for Milan will never end but I wanted different goodbye’ – that sentence now defines his parting.

The winger, who was named Serie A Player of the Year after the Scudetto triumph, reflected on his happiest memory in the red and black shirt. ‘When you win trophies, these are things that stay with you. I will remember those to the end,’ he said. Indeed, the 2021-22 title and the Supercoppa win were the highlights of his tenure, moments that etched his name into the club’s history.

Leao was asked whether the decision to leave was his own or imposed upon him. He responded diplomatically, acknowledging that ‘these are moments when you have to make decisions.’ He praised new Milan coach Ruben Amorim, even though they had little time together. ‘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,’ Leao said. ‘He plays the kind of football that I like. I will keep watching Milan from afar and wish them all the best.’

His gratitude extends to everyone behind the scenes. ‘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,’ he added. ‘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,’ Leao confessed. His departure marks the end of an era for a player who arrived at Milan as a raw talent from Lille and developed into one of Europe’s most electrifying forwards. For Galatasaray, they are getting a player driven to prove himself on a new stage, one who will surely light up the Super Lig.

The transfer saga concluded with Galatasaray directors arriving at Milan’s Linate airport with a private jet to whisk Leao away, as confirmed by transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio. The Turkish club’s vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu was present to oversee the final formalities. As Leao begins his new chapter, his words linger: ‘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.’

For Milan fans, it is a painful farewell, but Leao’s legacy is secure. He leaves as a champion, having given his all for the red and black. As he flies to Istanbul, he carries with him the memories and the affection of a club that helped shape him into a world-class talent. The phrase ‘Leao My love for Milan will never end but I wanted different goodbye’ will now echo through the corridors of San Siro, a reminder of what was and what could have been. Yet, as Leao himself noted, life moves on, and both he and Milan have new horizons to conquer.