Rafael Leão has extended his contract with Milan and he is also getting a major bump in salary.
Leão has been the best player at Milan for the past couple of seasons, putting his abilities on display to drag the Rossoneri to the Champions League semi-final this year, and to the Scudetto last year.
There has been strong desire on the side of the club and the player to renew the contract of the Portuguese, and after the Leão case with Sporting Lisbon and Lille was finally settled in court, Rafa agreed everything with the Club and today he signed a new contract.
“Milan is pleased to announce that Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão has renewed his contract with the Club until 30 June 2028,” a statement reads. “Since joining in the summer of 2019, Rafa boasts 162 appearances, 41 goals and 29 assists for the Rossoneri, and was named ‘Best Player in Serie A’ last season. Milan and Rafael continue their journey together.”
Rafa’s new contract sees him earn €5m plus bonuses per season. In addition, a release clause of €175m has also been included. There are reports in the media that the forward will change his number next season, going from #17 to #10, which could be vacated by Brahim Díaz if he returns to Madrid.
“I’m very happy, it was something I wanted to do and now it’s done. We hope to do great things in the future,” Leão told reporters as he left Casa Milan on Friday, wearing the 2023/24 Milan jersey in his car. “Will I retain #17? Let’s see, let’s see… it’s a special number for me.”
On Sunday, Leão and Milan will play their final match of the season, taking on Hellas Verona at Stadio San Siro in front of over 70,000 fans. The Diavolo already secured a top 4 finish.
Am very happy it has come to fruition
Rafa ! Rafa !! Rafa !!! “It’s a goal !!!!!!!!!! Thank you Leao. You are the man .You make us proud. You stood by us when others betrayed us. You have entered the AC Milan Guinness book of legends. Appreciate Leao. We can breath now ! Leeeeeaaaaaaooooooo.. Leeeeeeaaaaaaaaooooo…………Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaoooooooooooooooooooooo
Great, now build this team further and most of all properly.
Good! We are showing serious backbone. Apart from Mike, we have renewed all our important young players. Theo, Bennacer, Tomori, Kalulu, Tonali and now Rafa. They are our backbone. Add Thiaw who recently joined and we have a good core for a few years. (unless some EPL team comes up with 100M for one of them)
Great news!! Congrats, Rafa. Next move for LW, lets bring back El Shaarawy, the Pharaoh!!