AC Milan & Portugal Megastar Reveals: “Here’s Why I Said No To Inter Milan” | OneFootball

AC Milan talisman Rafael Leao confirms he had turned down a chance to join Inter Milan before signing for the Rossoneri in 2019.

Speaking as a guest on the ‘Say Less’ podcast via FCInterNews, the 26-year-old revealed why he decided not to join the Nerazzurri.

Rafael Leao left Lille to continue his career at San Siro six years ago.

Furthermore, AC Milan paid Les Dogues around €35 million to secure his services.

That has proved as the club’s best piece of business in the last decade as Leao became a superstar in Serie A.

Widely regarded as one of the best wingers in the world, Leao has been Milan’s standout performer for years.

Moreover, he helped the club halt a long-standing title drought by winning the Scudetto in 2021/22.

Then, he inspired Milan to a remarkable Supercoppa Italiana win against Inter last January.

However, little did anyone know that the Portuguese forward had a chance to sign for the Nerazzurri in 2019.

AC Milan Ace Rafael Leao Admits He Rejected Inter Approach Six Years Ago

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: Rafael Leao of AC Milan is challenged by Matteo Darmian of Inter Milan during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 16, 2023 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“I was about to go to Inter,” Leao stated. “The sporting director of Lille told me: ‘Rafa, we’re about to sell you to Inter.’

“I said: ‘No, I did very well this season, I want to stay another season to improve even more.’

“A few weeks later, the director told me that Milan was interested in me.

“I said: ‘Yes, Milan, yes, if they come with an offer, I’ll accept.’

“Two days later, he came back and said: ‘They’ve made an offer, someone wants to talk to you,’ and he put Paolo Maldini on the phone.

“It wasn’t a regular call, but a video call,” the winger recalled.

“Since I was a child, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka, Seedorf, those players you saw or heard about were history.

“Then you know… seven Champions League titles, only Real Madrid has more. Between Milan and Inter, Milan a hundred times.”