Leao hints at Milan departure: ‘I think I’ve given everything’ | OneFootball

Rafael Leao has not hidden the fact that he wishes to leave Milan in the near future, giving an interview claiming he has ‘given everything I have’ and that he wants a ‘new challenge in a new league’.

Leao: ‘I’ve given everything in Milan, I want a new challenge in a new league’

It is a period of widespread uncertainty for the Rossoneri, who are currently without a head coach, sporting director, technical director or CEO and now there are growing reports that several of their star players, including Leao, Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot, could leave as well.

Leao has spent the last seven seasons in San Siro, is a former Scudetto winner and won the league’s MVP award in 2021-22 as well, but failed to impress after being moved from the left wing to more of a centre-forward role under Massimiliano Allegri in 2025-26.

And, with no Champions League football on offer next term, newspapers in Italy suggest that this may be the right time for Leao to depart.

The Portugal international has not hidden the fact that he has ‘ambitions’ to play in a different league away from Serie A at some stage of his career, and has recently given an interview saying that he wishes to continue playing ‘at the highest levels in Europe’.

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

He has not yet confirmed whether he will definitely be leaving Milan this summer, but has made it clear that he intends to play elsewhere at some stage in the near future.

“Personally, I think I’ve already given everything I have in Milan,” said Leao 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.”

CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

In the immediate future, Leao has the small matter of the 2026 World Cup with Portugal to get through first.

“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.”