Rafael Leao has opened up about the transfer decisions that impacted his career, admitting that Inter Milan had contacted him back in 2019 before he ultimately chose to join AC Milan.
talking CBS Sports GolazoThe Portuguese winger revealed that Inter have approached Lille sporting director Luis Campos to express their interest.
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Instead, the memory of Milan’s great teams of the past, as well as his childhood idols, played a decisive role in guiding him towards the red and black halves of the city.
The 26-year-old also spoke passionately about his experience participating in the Milan Derby.
In fact, describe it as the most outstanding match on the Italian football calendar.
Additionally, the entire city will be affected in the days leading up to the game.
Milan star Leon talks about how he almost joined Inter Milan
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 15: AC Milan’s Rafael Leo warms up during the Serie A match between FC Bologna and AC Milan at the Renato D’Alla Stadium on April 15, 2023 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabatini/Getty Images)
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In the derby, Leo explain:
“You can’t go out a few days before the derby, you stay at home. It’s been a crazy week, everyone wants tickets and everyone is talking about the most beautiful game of the season. The derby is a battle, it’s a matter of life and death and I want to live. After the game everyone talks about it for days. It’s unbelievable to play the derby and the fans are singing from start to finish.”
On transfer decisions in 2019, he added:
“Inter called Lille sporting director Campos and said they were interested in me. But I didn’t believe it, even though I respect Inter. In the past I had heard about Maldini’s Milan, the Champions League and my idol Ronaldinho.
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“So I told Lille I would stay another year. We finished second and the next year we were in the Champions League, but they told me Milan wanted me and there was someone who wanted to talk to me and that was Paolo Maldini on FaceTime.”
“He told me he had been following me all season and asked me if I wanted to join Milan. So I signed for the club.”
