AC Milan Striker Goncalo Ramos Opens Up on PSG Exit: 'It Hurt Me to Leave'

When Gonçalo Ramos arrived at PSG in the summer of 2023, he never established himself as an undisputed starter in the Parisian attack. When he started, he struggled to make a difference; when he came off the bench, he performed well.

A super-sub par excellence, he repeatedly rescued the two-time European champions with late goals.

This summer, after three years at PSG, the Portuguese international joined AC Milan in search of more playing time. In an interview with the Portuguese television program "Soltinhos pelo Mundo" on Canal 11, the forward reflected on his final months at PSG and said leaving the club had been painful.

"During my last three years at PSG, I think I was never a starter in four or five consecutive matches. Sometimes it was frustrating; it bothered me. I even scored in four or five straight games without starting any of them."

"And for me, it made no sense. I talked to my family about it. I knew that if I got angry, it would hurt me. If I showed dignity by keeping up my work, no one would question my professionalism or say I was angry. They could never say: 'He didn't give everything, he didn't help, he got angry.' Of course I was resentful. But it was up to me to turn that resentment into something positive."

"Convincing myself that I was going to achieve great things. That happened to Vitinha during the European Super Cup against Tottenham. We were down 1-0 at halftime, I think. So I told him: 'Don't worry, brother, I'm going to score; I'm sure of it.' He looked at me and said: 'This guy is crazy.' He was trying to wind me up, and I thought, 'I told him, I have to do it.' And it happened."

The former Benfica player also explained that he wanted to leave PSG during the winter transfer window, but that it would have been complicated.

"I wanted to leave PSG, but in January it's always harder to leave. It wasn't the best option, although I wanted to. Now I understand it better. I was already at a stage where I only wanted one thing: to leave. The club refused immediately because, to let me leave, they would have had to find a replacement. But Luis Campos assured me he would let me go this summer. He gave me his word."

"During the World Cup, I was in contact with Jorge (Mendes, his agent), and Milan's interest became obvious. The coach, Ruben Amorim, came here and called me. That is also very important. One day, Jorge Mendes called me in the morning and told me: 'The deal is done.'" Leaving PSG hurt me because the group was very close. The three Portuguese guys were there, and I spent all my time with them. Trips, training, matches, the national team... They knew I wanted to leave and, jokingly, they told me to stay just for the 'atmosphere.' We lived together truly exceptional moments, the kind you rarely find in a professional career."