"I wanted to, but I couldn't." The Leão saga at Milan, from Scudetto hero to a player out of sync

Rafael Leão is bidding farewell to AC Milan, and this time it's for good. Arriving at the Rossoneri on August 1, 2019, for €30 million, Rafael Leão needed time to transform his talent into consistent performances before fully exploding under coach Stefano Pioli. The 2021-22 season marked his consecration: 14 goals and 12 assists in 42 appearances, numbers enhanced by decisive plays in the Scudetto race, from the goal against Fiorentina to the one against Atalanta, and three assists in the crucial 3-0 victory over Sassuolo. The following year, he delivered another high-level season: 16 goals and 15 assists in 48 matches, with Leão also being a key protagonist in the Champions League quarter-finals against Napoli. In 2023-24, the Portuguese finished with 15 goals and 14 assists in 47 appearances, reaffirming his status as the Rossoneri's primary attacking talent and earning the weight of his jersey number, the iconic 10.

Rollercoaster Rides and Allegri's Prophecy

Amidst coaching changes, misunderstandings, and inconsistent performances, Leão progressively lost the central role he had earned. In 2024-25, he still managed 12 goals and 13 assists in 50 appearances, but the feeling was that of a talent unable to find consistency. The 2025-26 season represented his lowest point: 10 goals and 3 assists in 31 appearances, while the end of the championship further fueled doubts about his future. The words of coach Massimiliano Allegri after the draw with Juventus last April, 'You can't think that Leão can have consistent performances. He never has,' now sound almost prophetic.

Overall Record at Milan

However, the overall record tells an important story: 291 matches, 80 goals, and 65 assists, totaling 145 goal contributions and a contribution every 135 minutes. These numbers place Leão eighth in Milan's history for combined goals and assists, trailing only legends like Rivera, Shevchenko, Nordahl, Kaká, Van Basten, Altafini, and Inzaghi. Thus, after seven years, a relationship marked by love, criticism, and regrets comes to an end. The talent remained, but consistency did not, and the departure, following declarations in recent weeks and much criticism in recent months, occurs in the most turbulent way possible. In Rafa's future lies a contract worth 10 million euros per season with Galatasaray, while the Diavolo will receive 40 million euros plus 3 in bonuses. But for both, there's the realization of having experienced a "I wanted to, but I couldn't" scenario.