Leao intent on leaving AC Milan for 'a new challenge in a new league'

Rafael Leao wishes to leave AC Milan after the Italian giants failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Leao joined Milan from Lille in 2019, and has gone on to score 80 goals and provide 55 assists in 291 appearances across all competitions.

He managed just 13 goal involvements in 2025-26, and started just 25 games. The Portugal forward could not help Milan qualify for the Champions League, as they finished in fifth place in Serie A.

Now, Leao, whose tally of 135 goal involvements since the start of the 2019-20 season is 60 more than any other Milan player in that time, has confirmed he wants to depart San Siro.

"Personally, I've given everything at AC Milan. It's a club that helped me grow a lot and supported me through tough times," the 26-year-old told Sport TV.

"Fortunately, I managed to make my mark in their history. Everyone has ambitions and I dream of a new challenge in a new league.

"If that happens, I'll be very happy and fulfilled because I did my job at AC Milan."

For now, Leao is focusing on Portugal's upcoming World Cup campaign, though he has set his sights at competing at the pinnacle of the European game.

"The most important thing now is the World Cup and helping the national team in any way I can," he added.

"When the time comes, I'll look at the best options to continue my career and keep competing at the top of European football."