AC Milan forward Rafael Leao revealed he was close to signing for his boyhood dream club Benfica, but the move fell through after the club failed to keep their promise of sending a van to pick him up for training. The setback left Leao in tears and ultimately led him to join Benfica’s arch-rivals Sporting CP, where he would go on to make his senior debut before eventually leaving Portugal.
Leao’s failed move to Benfica and Sporting career
Portugese winger Leao had agreed to join Benfica’s academy but a failed promise from the club made him leave for their Lisbon rivals after just a few days. Leao spent seven seasons in various levels of Sporting’s academy before he was given his senior debut by then-coach Jorge Jesus in February 2018. The crown of the Portuguese winger's brief spell in the first team was his goal against Porto, which made him the youngest Sporting player to score in that fixture. Later that year, Leao terminated his contract with Sporting following a violent attack on players and staff at the club’s training ground.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLeao recalls his failed story to Benfica
Speaking to Leao recounted how his dream move to Benfica left him in tears, saying: "Benfica wanted me to sign. My dad said yes; he's a Benfica fan too. I signed for Benfica, but since my dad didn't have a car at the time, I couldn't get to training. Benfica said, 'Don't worry, sign the contract and we'll have a van to take your son from school to training.
"I waited for the van. The van never arrived. The second and third days were the same. A week went by and I started crying. I didn't even get to do a training session. That's when we decided to sign for Sporting."
Leao then revealed current Benfica president Rui Costa met Leao’s father recently and apologised, adding: "A few months ago, my father met with Rui Costa, who is now president of Benfica, and they started laughing. 'I apologize for what happened to your son, for not having come to pick him up’."
Leao's Milan career so far
In 2019, Leao joined Italian giants AC Milan. After a slow start, scoring only six goals in his first season, he became pivotal in the 2021-22 campaign when Milan clinched the Scudetto. The winger contributed 11 goals and 10 assists, earning the Serie A MVP award. Despite transfer rumors linking him to Bayern Munich and Barcelona during the summer window, the 26-year-old committed his future to Milan, a decision praised by coach Massimiliano Allegri who hopes to make him the centrepiece of his project.
Getty Images SportRecovering from injury and target for the season
Leao will hope to recover from injury in time to help Milan mount a title challenge for their 20th Scudetto. In the meantime, the Rossoneri are preparing to face Lecce in the second round of the Coppa Italia.
