2 giorni fa
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No Suitable Offers for Portuguese Star. Made Good Impact in Derby: Amorim Praises Him.
The 24th May defeat to Cagliari, which also saw them crash out of the Champions League, could have been Rafa Leao's final appearance in a Rossoneri shirt. Seven seasons had brought two trophies, 80 goals, and moments of adulation, but also criticism and jeers. Yet, yesterday in Perth, Rafa Leao kicked off another campaign for Milan. Whether he will remain until May is currently unpredictable, but he has certainly rediscovered his drive, and perhaps something has reignited within him. In these initial days with the squad, he may have realised that a divorce isn't the only path, and that his 'marriage' with the Rossoneri could still be saved. The Portuguese star has once again felt cherished and valued by his teammates: comments from Gabbia ("As long as he's here, he'll do his best for this group"), Modric ("If he stayed it would be fantastic because he's a great player") and Bartesaghi ("I love him and I hope he stays with us") confirm his enduring popularity at Milan. The former Lille man has begun to view his future differently, no longer seeing separation as the sole solution. While the transfer market remains unpredictable until 1st September, his exit is no longer a foregone conclusion. Quite the opposite, in fact.
Shift
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At the end of May, Rafa Leao's continued presence in a Milan shirt was far from guaranteed. His comments, first in Portugal and then reiterated overseas – «I think I've already given everything I had. I'd be happy to try a new challenge, in a new league» – sounded like a farewell to the Rossoneri faithful. The club's hierarchy was reportedly displeased with these public statements, which risked devaluing his transfer fee. The subsequent World Cup did little to boost his stock; he scored an (insignificant) goal against Uzbekistan and assisted the winner against Croatia, but overall, he lacked the consistent playing time and performance levels that might have attracted a substantial offer from a top club. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce had been tracking him for some time and had made contact with Cardinale and his representatives. However, neither club submitted an offer that would convince the American owner. Rafa's valuation stands at €50-60 million, a figure the two Turkish clubs failed to approach. This explains why the number 10 flew to Perth alongside compatriot Gonçalo Ramos, rekindling his Milan journey. He didn't have a compelling offer on the table, and a standoff was never his intention. Now, he's back... at Milan, and a departure is no longer a certainty. While rumours persist in Turkey about Galatasaray increasing their pressure and Fenerbahce remaining in the frame, a move to Istanbul isn't Leao's preferred option. He hasn't formally rejected a Super Lig transfer, but it's close. Crucially, he's started smiling again – in training and during matches. It's a clear sign that he's rediscovered his true self, back in the Rossoneri colours.
Amorim Decides
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The final chapter of this story, therefore, remains unwritten, influenced by both the transfer market and Amorim's decisions. The former United coach will have the final say; in recent days, Ruben has opted for caution, focusing on the team rather than Rafa specifically. However, he is thoroughly assessing Leao to determine if he can truly adapt to the immediate pressing demands Amorim places on players when regaining possession. Speaking after yesterday's match, the coach sidestepped the issue: «What do I think of his first week of work? What I said in the press conference: if you're a Milan player, you're fortunate and you must enjoy yourself. He's doing that, and today he helped the team, which is my focus. But I evaluate him like the others.» This approach might also serve to alleviate future pressure on Leao, from whom everyone consistently expects a decisive contribution. Yesterday, after coming on for the final half-hour, he almost delivered, only for Provedel's charge to thwart an assist for Nkunku. Perhaps he will try again this Saturday against Chelsea. As of yesterday, his Rossoneri journey has restarted. If and when it concludes, we will discover in the coming weeks.
This article was originally written in Italian by La Gazzetta dello Sport editor. The English version has been generated using AI translation tools. If you notice any translation errors or have suggestions, please contact us at iniziativegazzetta@rcs.it
