Leonardo: Soccer-Brazilian Leonardo Says He Want to Leave AC Milan
November 30, 2000 - 0:0
MILAN, Italy AC Milan forward Leonardo says he wants to leave the series A club.
The Brazilian, who has made just two series A appearances this season, has been in talks with the club aimed at securing release from his contract in January.
Leonardo was outstanding in Tuesday's 4-2 Italian cup win over Atalanta, scoring twice. His display prompted praise from Coach Alberto Zaccheroni who said he wanted to hang on to the Brazilian.
"Leonardo was extraordinary.
At the end of the day he is one of the players best suited to my style of play, because he can both create and finish chances," said Zaccheroni.
"He is a very unpredictable player. Let's hope he doesn't leave after Christmas. It is entirely up to him but I'll do everything I can to keep him." But the former Paris St. Germain Striker, capped 54 times by Brazil, said his mind was made up.
"I won't change my mind. My decision was not an emotional one taken on the spur of the moment but a long and thought out choice.
My intention is to leave." "I need to feel important to the squad where I play, if I don't then I feel I am at fault. That is just the way I am. I don't want to make a drama out of this and it is not in my character to start a row.
"Milan and I will make a decision in a calm manner but one game like this does not change anything. I will be glad to finish in this way, to do something positive for Milan and leave in the best style." Leonardo joined Milan in 1998 and helped them to the series A title a year later but he suffered from a number of injuries last season and was restricted to just 14 appearances.
He has made no secret of his desire to return to Brazilian Club Flamengo where he began his career but may have to look elsewhere.
"I want to go home but my Club Flamengo are not in a good situation at the moment and cannot take me on immediately. So I will look for something else, certainly not in Italy, but elsewhere in Europe.
"I don't know exactly where but maybe in Portugal. I am 31 and I don't have much football left but I want to try something fresh." Leonardo's contract with Milan runs out at the end of this season.
(Reuter)
The Brazilian, who has made just two series A appearances this season, has been in talks with the club aimed at securing release from his contract in January.
Leonardo was outstanding in Tuesday's 4-2 Italian cup win over Atalanta, scoring twice. His display prompted praise from Coach Alberto Zaccheroni who said he wanted to hang on to the Brazilian.
"Leonardo was extraordinary.
At the end of the day he is one of the players best suited to my style of play, because he can both create and finish chances," said Zaccheroni.
"He is a very unpredictable player. Let's hope he doesn't leave after Christmas. It is entirely up to him but I'll do everything I can to keep him." But the former Paris St. Germain Striker, capped 54 times by Brazil, said his mind was made up.
"I won't change my mind. My decision was not an emotional one taken on the spur of the moment but a long and thought out choice.
My intention is to leave." "I need to feel important to the squad where I play, if I don't then I feel I am at fault. That is just the way I am. I don't want to make a drama out of this and it is not in my character to start a row.
"Milan and I will make a decision in a calm manner but one game like this does not change anything. I will be glad to finish in this way, to do something positive for Milan and leave in the best style." Leonardo joined Milan in 1998 and helped them to the series A title a year later but he suffered from a number of injuries last season and was restricted to just 14 appearances.
He has made no secret of his desire to return to Brazilian Club Flamengo where he began his career but may have to look elsewhere.
"I want to go home but my Club Flamengo are not in a good situation at the moment and cannot take me on immediately. So I will look for something else, certainly not in Italy, but elsewhere in Europe.
"I don't know exactly where but maybe in Portugal. I am 31 and I don't have much football left but I want to try something fresh." Leonardo's contract with Milan runs out at the end of this season.
(Reuter)