Sports
Galatasaray complete Rafael Leao signing from Serie A’s AC Milan
Portugal forward Rafael Leao, whose dip in form coincided with AC Milan’s struggles in recent seasons, joined Galatasaray Sunday, the Istanbul club announced.
The four-time reigning Turkish champions, who have qualified for the Champions League, said they had paid 38 million euros ($44mn) for the 27-year-old attacker, who was also being courted by Aston Villa.
Galatasaray said he signed a four-year contract worth 10 million euros a year.
The Portuguese international had been welcomed by a crowd of supporters when he arrived in Istanbul Saturday.
About “20% of the profit made on the player’s next transfer will be paid to AC Milan,” the Turkish club added in its statement.
The Sporting Lisbon academy graduate will play alongside Nigerian Victor Osimhen, the Turks’ star striker and former Bayern Munich winger Leroy Sane.
After arriving for a club-record 49.5 million euros from Lille in 2019, Leao scored 80 goals in 291 games for Milan.
He was a key figure in their 2021-22 Serie A triumph, but concerns over his commitment and declining production clouded the end of his time at the club.
Earlier this summer, Milan broke their club record when they paid 74 million euros to acquire another Portuguese attacker, Goncalo Ramos, from Paris Saint-Grrmain.
“It’s a tough moment saying goodbye to my teammates after seven years,” Leao said Friday after watching Milan beat visiting Venezia 2-0.
Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning goalkeeper, joined Chelsea from fellow Premier League club Aston Villa, the London club announced Sunday.
The 33-year-old signed a three-year contract with Chelsea for a reported 7.5 million pounds ($10 million), according to British media.
“I’m all passion and I play with my heart. I will give 100 percent every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates and the supporters proud,” Martinez said in a statement on Chelsea’s website.
Martinez returns to London, where he began his professional career with Arsenal but never became a first-team regular.
After a series of loan spells away from Arsenal, Martinez joined Villa in 2020 and made more than 250 appearances. He was a key player in Unai Emery’s Europa League-winning squad last season.
New manager Xabi Alonso hopes Martinez’s arrival will solve Chelsea’s recent difficulties at goalkeeper.
Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez again faced criticism following Monday’s 3-2 victory over rival Fulham to open the Premier League campaign.
Martinez is the second player to move between Chelsea and Villa this summer after striker Nicolas Jackson moved from Chelsea to Villa on Friday.
His departure follows those of other Villa players, including Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.
Martinez’s departure, however, was anticipated after 24-year-old Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki joined the club earlier in the transfer window.
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho believes Kylian Mbappe deserves to win the Ballon d’Or, arguing the award should recognize the world’s best individual player rather than simply go to someone who lifted the World Cup or Champions League.
Mourinho made the case for his star forward Saturday ahead of Real Madrid’s La Liga match against promoted Malaga, pointing to Mbappe’s record-breaking World Cup campaign and his individual dominance despite a lack of major team trophies.
“The best players in the world, there are two, three or four of them, and we know who they are: They’re here,” Mourinho told reporters.
“For me there is one who, individually, made history this summer.”
Mourinho was referring to Mbappe becoming the leading scorer in World Cup history during France’s title-winning campaign. The 27-year-old finished the tournament with 10 goals, taking his career total to 22 and moving one ahead of Lionel Messi. Both players had already surpassed Miroslav Klose’s previous record of 16.
Mbappe is among the leading candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or after another prolific season. He finished as the top scorer in La Liga, the Champions League and the World Cup, although he did not win any of those major competitions.
His main rivals include England striker Harry Kane, Spain midfielder and World Cup winner Rodri, and Paris Saint-Germain forwards Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
“You cannot give the Ballon d’Or to a player simply because he won the Champions League or the World Cup,” Mourinho said.
“For me, the Ballon d’Or should go to one of those players who, when they retire, will be missed forever. Maradona, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo Nazario, Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Zidane…”
Mourinho said team trophies should be recognized separately from individual excellence.
“If we want to reward the Champions League, then give it to Luis Enrique. For the Spanish national team, give it to Luis de la Fuente,” he said. “The best player in the world is something else.”
Mbappe starts season in form
Mbappe has wasted little time making his case on the field.
The France captain leads La Liga’s scoring charts after the opening two rounds, having scored a hat trick in Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad on Wednesday.
The performance gave Madrid a second league win in as many games and continued Mbappe’s remarkable scoring run since joining the Spanish giants from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024.
He has already won the La Liga scoring title in each of his first two seasons at the club and has scored 86 goals in 103 appearances for Madrid.
But Mourinho insists there is more to Mbappe’s role than adding to those numbers.
“I prefer 40 with titles than 60 without titles,” Mourinho said. “I prefer 40 with a lot of work for the team than 60 just playing for himself, as often happens with forwards.”
Mourinho stressed that the comments were not a criticism of Mbappe, whose work rate has impressed him during the opening weeks of the season.
“I’m very happy with him,” Mourinho said. “From a technical standpoint, there’s obviously nothing to say, but in terms of helping the group grow, taking responsibility, working…”
He also highlighted Mbappe’s commitment during preseason, saying the forward arrived two days early.
“Two days early in that preseason period can mean something positive,” Mourinho said.
For Mourinho, getting Mbappe to contribute beyond his goals could be crucial as Madrid look to turn their individual quality into collective success.
Madrid need trophies
Mbappe’s arrival was expected to usher in a new era of dominance at Real Madrid, but the club has struggled to match the expectations surrounding its star-studded squad.
Since Mbappe left PSG in 2024, his former club have gone on to win the Champions League twice, while Barcelona have captured both La Liga titles during that period.
Madrid failed to win a major trophy last season, leaving Mbappe with the 2024 UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup as his only silverware with the club.
His individual numbers, however, have remained extraordinary.
Now, with another season barely underway, Mbappe has already emerged as one of the central figures in Madrid’s pursuit of a return to the top.
“This year, we have to win, that’s what we all want, and that’s what we’re going to do,” Mbappe said on Real Madrid TV at the start of the season.
Mourinho believes the answer will not simply be giving Mbappe more freedom to score.
“I always say that with these players, you have to teach them to play as a team and teach them very little from an individual perspective,” he said.
The veteran Portuguese coach has inherited a squad packed with elite talent and will be tasked with turning that talent into a cohesive team after a turbulent 2025-26 campaign in which Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa both left the coaching position.
Mbappe’s goals helped keep Madrid competitive during that difficult season, but Mourinho wants the French forward and his teammates to go further this time.
“He made history in the World Cup because there are 25 world champion players, but only one is eternal in football, the player who has the most goals in the World Cup,” Mourinho said.
“I see him really hungry to make history with Real Madrid.”
Malaga will be the next test Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Mbappe looking to add to his league-leading tally.
Turkish champions Galatasaray beat mid-table side Göztepe 3-2 in a tightly contested Süper Lig match in Istanbul Saturday.
Göztepe took the lead in the 16th minute when Efkan Bekiroğlu’s corner from the right was headed toward the far post by Andre Henrique, where Novatus Miroshi struck to find the net.
Galatasaray came close to an equalizer in the 31st minute when Gabriel Sara’s shot from the edge of the penalty area went just wide of the post following Roland Sallai’s cross.
The hosts leveled in the 33rd minute when Sallai’s free kick from the right side of the penalty box was headed back across goal by Lucas Torreira, with the ball deflecting off Davinson Sanchez and into the net to make it 1-1.
Victor Osimhen nearly put Galatasaray ahead just before halftime, but Göztepe goalkeeper Matej Gugeshashvili saved his effort after the Nigerian forward received a through ball from Sallai, ending the first half in a stalemate.
Galatasaray started the second half on the front foot and created several opportunities with Osimhen and Yunus Akgün.
The Istanbul side took the lead in the 55th minute when Sara’s shot from the right side of the penalty area found the net despite Gugeshashvili getting a hand to the ball.
Galatasaray was awarded a controversial penalty in the 63rd minute following a VAR review after Osimhen was seemingly brought down in the area by defender Richard Akonnor.
Osimhen then converted from the spot to make it 3-1.
Göztepe responded two minutes later. Juan headed home from close range after Henrique flicked on a long throw from Arda Okan Kurtulan, reducing the deficit to 3-2.
Galatasaray thought it restored its two-goal advantage in the 67th minute when Osimhen headed home Sallai’s cross, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review for offside.
Osimhen came close to adding another in stoppage time, but Gugeshashvili denied the Nigerian forward in the 94th minute.
In Saturday’s other Süper Lig matches, Kocaelispor beat hosts Konyaspor 2-1, while Gaziantep suffered a defeat by the same margin against a traveling Rizespor.
Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş will meet in the first major derby of the 2026-27 Süper Lig season on Saturday, Sept. 5, with kickoff set for 8:00 p.m. local time, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) announced Saturday.
The Week 4 schedule was finalized after UEFA released the Champions League league-phase fixture list, allowing the federation to coordinate the domestic calendar around the European commitments of Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe.
Fenerbahçe will host Beşiktaş at Chobani Stadium, in Kadıköy, Istanbul.
The derby will come a day after Galatasaray’s league match against Istanbul Başakşehir FK. That game has been moved to Friday, Sept. 4, at 8:00 p.m. at Başakşehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
European commitments shape Week 4
The changes were made to give the two Champions League participants adequate recovery time before their opening European fixtures.
Galatasaray will travel to face Sporting CP on Wednesday, Sept. 9, while Fenerbahçe will host AS Roma on Thursday, Sept. 10.
The TFF said the revised dates were determined in accordance with the Champions League calendar published by UEFA, with the Friday and Saturday slots providing additional preparation and recovery time ahead of the European matches.
The adjustments are part of a broader scheduling challenge facing clubs competing in Europe under UEFA’s expanded league-phase format, which has increased the number of midweek fixtures and made coordination with domestic leagues more demanding.
Revised Week 4 schedule
The updated program begins Friday with Başakşehir hosting Galatasaray at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday’s schedule includes Erzurumspor FK against Konyaspor at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş derby at 8:00 p.m..
The remaining Week 4 matches will be played Sunday and Monday, including Kasımpaşa against Amed, Çorum FK against Eyüpspor, Kocaelispor against Samsunspor and Trabzonspor against Gençlerbirliği.
The Fenerbahçe-Beşiktaş fixture was already set for Week 4 when the league schedule was drawn in July. Only the exact date and kickoff time remained pending until the Champions League calendar was confirmed.
A major early-season test
The derby will be one of the biggest early tests for both teams and is expected to command significant domestic attention in a prime Saturday night television slot.
Fenerbahçe and Beşiktaş are two members of Istanbul’s traditional Big Three, alongside Galatasaray, and their meetings are among the most closely watched games in Turkish football. The rivalry regularly produces intense, high-pressure encounters, with the atmosphere often matching the importance of the result.
Fenerbahçe will have home advantage at Chobani Stadium, its long-time Kadıköy home. The stadium, previously known by sponsorship names including Ülker Stadium, has a capacity of roughly 47,000 to 48,000 and has long been regarded as one of the toughest venues for visiting teams in Turkish football.
The timing adds another layer of intrigue. Both teams will have had only a few league matches to establish their rhythm before facing each other, while the European calendar will already be beginning to influence squad management and preparations.
For Fenerbahçe, the derby will be followed by the visit of Roma in the Champions League. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, will look to use the occasion to make an early statement against one of the league’s title contenders.
Club football offers a long list of trophies, but not all silverware carries the same weight. A domestic league title tests a team’s consistency across an entire season, a continental championship measures it against the best clubs in its region, while global competitions determine which team can claim to be the best in the world.
The hierarchy is not officially defined and varies by country and football culture. Still, the biggest prizes generally sit at the top: the leading continental championships, domestic league titles and global club championships.
Major domestic cups and super cups follow, while secondary continental competitions and league cups occupy the next level.
Here, Daily Sabah compiles a guide to the principal trophies available to clubs, with the latest results and formats as of late August 2026.
Continental championships
Continental competitions are the centerpiece of club football outside the domestic game. Each of FIFA’s six confederations runs a premier competition for its leading clubs, although the names, formats and qualification systems differ.
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is widely regarded as the most prestigious annual club competition in world football.
The tournament began as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup in 1955-56 and adopted the Champions League name in 1992-93. Real Madrid remain the record winners with 15 European Cups and Champions League titles.
The competition underwent its biggest structural change in decades in 2024-25, replacing the traditional group stage with a 36-team league phase. Each club plays eight matches against eight different opponents. The top eight teams advance directly to the round of 16, while teams finishing ninth through 24th enter a knockout playoff for the remaining places.
Paris Saint-Germain have become the latest dominant force in the competition. After winning their first Champions League title in 2025, PSG successfully defended the crown in 2026, beating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final in Budapest. They became only the second club in the Champions League era to retain the trophy, after Real Madrid’s three consecutive titles between 2016 and 2018.
The Champions League winner also earns places in the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA’s global club competitions.
Copa Libertadores
South America’s premier club competition, the Copa Libertadores, was founded in 1960 and is the continent’s equivalent of the Champions League.
Argentine club Independiente remain the record winners with seven titles, followed by Boca Juniors with six. Peñarol have five, while River Plate, Estudiantes and Flamengo have four each.
The competition traditionally begins with qualifying rounds before moving into a 32-team group stage. The knockout rounds lead to a single-match final, a format introduced in 2019.
The Libertadores winner also qualifies for the Recopa Sudamericana and FIFA’s global competitions.
AFC Champions League Elite
The AFC Champions League Elite is Asia’s top club competition. It replaced the previous AFC Champions League format as part of a broader restructuring of Asian club football.
The tournament brings together the leading clubs from across Asia and crowns the continent’s top side. Its elite status makes it the most prestigious club trophy available to teams in the Asian Football Confederation.
CAF Champions League
Africa’s premier club competition is the CAF Champions League.
Egyptian giants Al Ahly are the competition’s most successful club and have established a level of dominance unmatched by any other African side. The tournament brings together the continent’s leading clubs through qualifying rounds, a group or league-stage structure and knockout rounds.
The champion earns continental prestige and a route into FIFA’s global club competitions.
CONCACAF Champions Cup
The CONCACAF Champions Cup is the leading club competition in North America, Central America and the Caribbean.
Mexican clubs have historically dominated the tournament, with América, Cruz Azul and other Liga MX powers accounting for much of its history.
The competition crowns the region’s representative for FIFA’s global club competitions and has become increasingly important as Major League Soccer clubs have challenged the traditional Mexican dominance.
OFC Champions League
The OFC Champions League is Oceania’s premier club tournament.
New Zealand’s Auckland City have dominated the competition and are the region’s most successful club. Their continental success has repeatedly taken them onto the global stage.
Secondary continental competitions
The second tier of continental football remains highly significant, particularly for clubs that cannot regularly compete in the top-level championship.
UEFA Europa League
The Europa League is European football’s second-tier continental competition, having evolved from the UEFA Cup.
Spanish clubs have historically dominated it, with Sevilla holding the record for most titles.
Since 2024-25, the competition has used a 36-team league phase similar to the Champions League. The winner receives a place in the following season’s Champions League league phase if it has not already qualified domestically.
Aston Villa won the 2025-26 Europa League, beating Freiburg 3-0 in the final at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul, Türkiye.
UEFA Conference League
The UEFA Conference League was introduced in 2021-22 to provide more European clubs with meaningful continental competition.
It sits below the Champions League and Europa League in UEFA’s hierarchy but can be a major achievement for clubs from smaller football associations.
The winner qualifies for the following season’s Europa League.
Chelsea have completed an unusual collection of UEFA club trophies, having won the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and the now-discontinued European Cup Winners’ Cup.
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Sudamericana is South America’s second major continental competition.
It is broadly comparable to the Europa League in UEFA’s system and provides clubs outside the Libertadores elite with the opportunity to win a major international trophy.
The winner faces the Copa Libertadores champion in the Recopa Sudamericana.
Other secondary competitions
Other confederations operate comparable second-tier competitions, including the CAF Confederation Cup and AFC Champions League Two.
These trophies generally carry less prestige than the leading continental championships but remain important because they provide international exposure, qualification opportunities and a route toward higher-level competitions.
Domestic league titles
If continental football measures a club against its region, the domestic league measures its consistency over an entire season.
A league championship is often regarded as the most important domestic trophy because it rewards sustained performance rather than a single knockout run.
Premier League
England’s Premier League was established in 1992 and features 20 teams playing 38 matches each.
Manchester United are the record Premier League champions with 13 titles, followed by Manchester City with eight. Chelsea have five, while Arsenal moved to four after winning the 2025-26 championship.
Arsenal ended a 22-year wait for the English top-flight title in 2026, finishing seven points clear of Manchester City with 85 points.
The bottom three teams are relegated to the Championship, while the highest finishers qualify for European competitions.
La Liga
Spain’s top division was founded in 1929 and is also contested by 20 teams over 38 matches.
Real Madrid are the record champions with 36 titles. Barcelona have 29, Atlético Madrid have 11 and Athletic Club have eight.
Barcelona successfully defended their title in 2025-26, finishing with 94 points under Hansi Flick. Lamine Yamal was named the league’s best player after contributing 16 goals and 12 assists.
Serie A
Italy’s top division remains one of Europe’s most prestigious domestic championships.
Juventus are historically the most successful club, while Inter Milan, AC Milan and Napoli have also enjoyed significant periods of dominance.
Bundesliga
Germany’s Bundesliga is another major European league, with Bayern Munich the clear record champion.
The Bavarian club’s sustained domestic dominance has made the Bundesliga one of the clearest examples of a league where a single club has established long-term superiority.
Ligue 1
France’s top division has been increasingly dominated by Paris Saint-Germain during the modern era.
PSG’s domestic success has accompanied their rise as a European power, although clubs such as Marseille, Lyon, Monaco and Lille have also enjoyed significant periods of success.
Other major domestic championships
Other important league titles include Portugal’s Primeira Liga, the Netherlands’ Eredivisie, Brazil’s Série A, Argentina’s Primera División, Türkiye’s Süper Lig, Scotland’s Premiership and numerous other national championships.
The importance of a league title depends heavily on its football culture. In some countries, winning the domestic championship can carry more emotional weight than a continental trophy.
Domestic cups
Domestic cups are knockout competitions that typically involve clubs from multiple divisions.
Their appeal lies partly in their unpredictability. Lower-division teams can eliminate elite clubs, creating the possibility of giant-killing runs that are almost impossible in a league campaign.
FA Cup
The FA Cup is England’s principal domestic knockout competition and one of the oldest national cup tournaments in football.
It was first staged in 1871-72 and has traditionally been open to a huge number of clubs across the English football pyramid.
Arsenal are the record winners with 14 FA Cup titles. The final is traditionally played at Wembley Stadium.
Copa del Rey
Spain’s principal domestic cup is the Copa del Rey.
Barcelona are the record winners with 32 titles, followed by Athletic Club with 24 and Real Madrid with 20.
Unlike a league championship, the Copa del Rey can be won by a club that has struggled domestically, making it one of Spain’s most unpredictable major trophies.
Other major domestic cups
Almost every major football nation has its own principal knockout competition.
Examples include:
DFB-Pokal in Germany Coppa Italia in Italy Coupe de France in France Scottish Cup in Scotland Taça de Portugal in Portugal KNVB Cup in the Netherlands Türkiye Kupası in Türkiye Copa do Brasil in Brazil Copa Argentina in Argentina
The exact format differs between countries, but most use knockout rounds and give smaller clubs opportunities to face top-flight opposition.
Cup winners often earn qualification for continental competition, adding another layer of importance.
League cups
Some countries also operate a separate knockout competition exclusively or primarily for clubs in their professional league system.
England’s EFL Cup is the best-known example.
The League Cup is considered less prestigious than the Premier League and FA Cup but remains a significant trophy, particularly because it offers clubs a relatively direct route to silverware and European qualification.
Other countries have comparable competitions, although their importance varies considerably.
Super cups
Super cups usually bring together the winners of two major competitions from the previous season.
They are normally single-match events and are often played shortly before or during the opening weeks of a new season.
UEFA Super Cup
The UEFA Super Cup pits the Champions League winner against the Europa League winner.
Paris Saint-Germain won the 2026 edition, defeating Aston Villa 2-1 in Salzburg. PSG became only the third club to win consecutive UEFA Super Cups.
The competition is prestigious, but it generally ranks below the Champions League and Europa League because it is decided by one match rather than an extended campaign.
Domestic super cups
Many national associations stage similar competitions.
Major examples include:
FA Community Shield in England Supercopa de España in Spain Supercoppa Italiana in Italy DFL-Supercup in Germany Trophee des Champions in France Turkish Super Cup in Türkiye
Some super cups involve two teams, while others use a small tournament format.
Recopa Sudamericana
South America’s Recopa pits the Copa Libertadores winner against the Copa Sudamericana champion.
Unlike many European super cups, it is traditionally contested over two legs, adding another layer of competition.
Global club titles
Global competitions occupy a special place because they bring together champions from different confederations.
FIFA Club World Cup
FIFA relaunched the Club World Cup as a 32-team tournament in 2025, with the competition moving to a four-year cycle.
The inaugural expanded edition was held in the United States and featured eight groups of four teams, followed by a knockout phase.
Chelsea became the first champions of the expanded tournament, defeating Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 in the final at MetLife Stadium in July 2025.
The tournament is designed to determine a global club champion on a scale comparable to FIFA’s national-team World Cup, although its place in the traditional club-football hierarchy is still developing.
The next edition is scheduled for 2029.
FIFA Intercontinental Cup
The FIFA Intercontinental Cup provides an annual global competition after the Club World Cup moved to a four-year cycle.
It brings together the champions of FIFA’s six confederations through a knockout pathway, with the UEFA Champions League winner advancing directly to the final.
Real Madrid won the inaugural edition in 2024.
Paris Saint-Germain won the 2025 edition, defeating Flamengo on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Qatar.
The competition effectively preserves an annual global championship opportunity for continental champions.
Intercontinental Cup, 1960-2004
The former Intercontinental Cup was a different competition.
Played between the European Cup or Champions League winner and the Copa Libertadores champion, it was one of the most prestigious club fixtures in world football for decades.
FIFA now recognizes the historical competition as part of the world club championship lineage.
It was replaced by the FIFA Club World Championship in 2000 and ultimately discontinued after 2004.
What are the biggest trophies?
There is no universally accepted ranking because prestige depends on geography, history and club culture. However, a broad hierarchy can be established.
Tier 1: Global and premier continental championships
UEFA Champions League Copa Libertadores FIFA Club World Cup FIFA Intercontinental Cup AFC Champions League Elite CAF Champions League CONCACAF Champions Cup
Tier 2: Major domestic championships
Premier League LaLiga Serie A Bundesliga Ligue 1
Other leading national league titles
Tier 3: Major domestic cups and secondary continental trophies
FA Cup Copa del Rey DFB-Pokal Coppa Italia Coupe de France UEFA Europa League Copa Sudamericana Other major national cups
Tier 4: Super cups and league cups
UEFA Super Cup FA Community Shield EFL Cup Supercopa de Espana Supercoppa Italiana DFL-Supercup
Galatasaray are closing in on one of the biggest signings of the summer, with Portugal winger Rafael Leao set to join the Turkish champions from AC Milan in a deal worth about 45 million euros ($52.1 million).
The 27-year-old has chosen Galatasaray over Premier League club Aston Villa after a late battle for his signature, with the Istanbul club now completing the final formalities of a transfer that would significantly strengthen its attack.
Galatasaray officially confirmed Saturday that it had begun negotiations with Leao and Milan over the transfer of the player, whose arrival in Istanbul was expected later in the day for a medical examination and the completion of the deal.
The move comes as Galatasaray prepare for another title challenge after winning their fourth consecutive Süper Lig championship and 26th league title. Okan Buruk’s team are targeting a fifth straight domestic crown while also seeking another deep run in the Champions League.
Galatasaray win Leao race
Galatasaray had identified strengthening the wings as one of its priorities during the summer window and made Leao one of its principal targets.
The Portuguese international had attracted interest from Aston Villa, which also pushed to sign him in the final stages of the negotiations. But Leao ultimately preferred Galatasaray, with the Turkish club offering a more attractive financial package and the prospect of Champions League football.
Italian broadcaster Sky Sport reported that Galatasaray and Milan had agreed on a package worth 45 million euros, comprising 43 million euros in fixed payments and 2 million euros in bonuses. Milan would also retain a 20% sell-on clause. Leao was reportedly offered a contract through 2030 worth 10 million euros per season plus bonuses.
Other reports put the player’s annual earnings at about 12 million euros including bonuses.
Leao says goodbye to Milan
Leao’s departure from Milan became increasingly clear after he said goodbye to his teammates following the club’s 2-0 victory over Venezia.
The winger described leaving after seven years as a difficult decision and expressed his lasting affection for the Italian club.
“I said goodbye to my teammates after seven years,” Leao said, according to Reuters. “Milan helped me grow and understand what top-level football is really about.”
Leao joined Milan from Lille in 2019 and developed into one of Serie A’s most dangerous attacking players. He made 291 appearances for the club, scoring 80 goals and providing 65 assists, according to Reuters.
He played a key role in Milan’s 2021-22 Serie A title triumph and was named the league’s player of the season.
A major addition for Galatasaray
Leao would give Galatasaray a proven attacking threat capable of playing wide or cutting inside from the left. His pace, dribbling and ability to create chances could add another dimension to an attack already built around high-profile talent.
The transfer also underlines Galatasaray’s growing ambition in the European market. After attracting major names in recent windows, the club is now poised to add a player with seven years of experience at one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
For Leao, the move represents a new chapter after establishing himself as one of Portugal’s leading attacking players.
The winger came through Sporting CP’s academy before moving to Lille, where he caught Milan’s attention. He then spent seven seasons at San Siro, becoming a central figure for the Rossoneri and earning 49 caps for Portugal.
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