One phone call changed all: Rafael Leao reveals who persuaded him to join Milan

Rafael Leao has revealed how close he came to wearing the black-and-blue of Inter back in 2019 - only to reject the idea outright before Milan and Paolo Maldini entered the scene.

Speaking on the Say Less Podcast ahead of Milan's Coppa Italia Round of 32 clash with Lecce on Tuesday night, the Portuguese star lifted the lid on the summer that shaped his career:

"I can tell the story before I came here. I was about to go to Inter," Leao admitted.

"The sporting director told me: 'Rafa, we are about to sell you to Inter.' I said no. It was my first professional season, I wanted to stay one more year, grow, build my name. He said it was good for them and for me, big money. But I said: 'No. Inter, no.'"

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Then came the Rossoneri - and the voice of a legend.

"After a couple of weeks, the director said Milan were interested. I was like: 'Milan, yeah.' Then he passed me the phone… it was Maldini: 'You have to come.' Bro, done."

For Leao, the decision was never in doubt.

"You can't say no. Since I was a kid, I watched Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Kaka, Seedorf… Milan has history. Seven Champions Leagues, only Real Madrid has more. Between Inter and Milan? Milan 100 times."

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The forward still remembers that first San Siro night with awe:

"I realised how big this club is when I played my first game at home. Crazy. The crowd, the stadium full. And when I won the league… it's something a player needs to feel to understand how important it is to play for Milan."

Now 25, Leao has 71 goals and 62 assists in 261 games for the Rossoneri, though injury keeps him sidelined ahead of the Napoli clash. Off the pitch, Milan has become his home.

"Milano is a nice city. Similar to Lisbon. The weather, the food, the lifestyle… Italy helped me grow up a lot. I came here at 19. It made me mature."

His current deal runs until 2028, with a release clause of €175 million. For Milan fans, one thing is certain: their talisman once said no to Inter, and that 'no' has shaped their modern history.

COPPA ITALIA - ROUND OF 32

Tuesday

18.00: (1.57) Cagliari (3.90) Frosinone (6.25)

19.30: (1.85) Udinese (3.50) Palermo (4.40)

22.00: (1.23) Milan (6.25) Lecce (13.0)

Wednesday

18.00: (1.65) Parma (3.50) Spezia (6.00)

19.30: (1.95) Verona (3.45) Venezia (4.00)

22.00: (1.62) Como (3.70) Sassuolo (6.00)

Thursday

19.30: (1.55) Genoa (3.90) Empoli (6.75)

22.00: (1.75) Torino (3.50) Pisa (5.00)

***odds are subject to change***