Leonardo has spoken about his decision to leave AC Milan and cross the city divide to join Inter back in 2010, admitting it was not an easy choice to make.
The Brazilian turned 54 yesterday and he spoke to Globoesporte in his home country about his career, which saw him play for Milan from 1997 to 2001 and then return for a season before he retired in 2003.
Leonardo then began a career as an executive, having served as a director under Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani, but surprisingly took on the role as head coach for the 2009-10 season.
“I started sitting in on Adriano Galliani’s meetings, even when I was still playing. Afterwards, it was like going to university just observing him at work,” he said (via Football Italia).
“I had problems with him and that disagreement was why I left Milan. I think it was a difficult moment for him too, as he was Prime Minister, there were lots of things happening…
“In the end, I left because I had been at the club for 13 years and eras must come to an end.”
There were issues between the former Rossoneri player and Berlusconi which led up to him leaving, and then not long after he became Inter boss replacing Rafa Benitez.
“In 2010, I just stayed in Milan because I didn’t have anywhere else to go, I was taking a break in my career. Just before Christmas, Massimo Moratti called and I had turned him down so many times before, but this night at his home I had no escape.
“He got me swept up in the cause, and as always I acted on instinct. There were strong, strong reactions. Not even I expected them to be that strong. After all, players had represented both clubs before.
“My rapport with Milan was deeper, so it was tough every single day. As for when the derby came along… There were threats, but let’s forget about that.
“I remember what Moratti said to me, that it was almost wonderful to see so much reaction for just one person.”
Never liked the guy. Always thought he had a rat like face, and turned out he had a rat like personality too.
I loved him as a player, hated him afterwards and hope he never returns in any kind of capacity at ac milan.
Yeah his signing all failure in his time with maldini as director. Never wanted this leonardo go back anymore to AC Milan in any position even as scout. His moving to IM are one of the reason
I agree and not to mention he also tried to buy a few of our players while at psg at borderline offensive fees.
Yep, agree about the Leonardo’s rat-face and characteristics. A few more things about Rat Face:
In the 1994 World Cup match between the USMNT and Brazil, annoyed by how tightly marked he was, he elbowed Tab Ramos in the head in the 1994 World Cup, knocking him unconcious and giving him a skull fracture. Leonardo got red carded. This was of course back in the days when there was no VAR and FIFA referees were getting paid off regularly to let Brazil through to the finals regardless of whether they deserved it or not, and so not long after, the USMNT left back, Fernando Clavijo, got red carded on an absolutely ticky tacky foul to “even things up” again and to avoid the horror of Brazil losing to the USMNT, which back then were a part-amateur side.
Brazil of course won 1-0 against the USMNT and went on to beat Italy in the final on PKs after a spectacular miss by Roberto Baggio.
So yeah, I’ve hated Leonardo ever since.
A few of highlights of Leonardo’s subsequent career that brought joy:
1. The 1998 World Cup final, when Zinedane Zidane outjumped Leonardo on a corner to head in the first of France’s three goals on their way to crushing Brazil, despite the referee, of course, once again red carding a French player to help Brazil.
2. As the Sporting Director at PSG, Leonardo was key in the decision to not renew the contract of fellow countryman Thiago Silva at PSG, causing him to go to Chelsea on a free transfer. Silva became an important part of the defense that anchored Chelsea’s Champions League win in 2021, Silva’s only Champions League win in his career (he was never going to win the CL at PSG anyway). Silva continues to play for (a now totally rubbish) Chelsea and would go on to captain the Brazil national team.
3.. The God Emperor of PSG, Kylian Mbappe, demanding that PSG fire Leonardo as the Sporting Director as just one of his many many demands during the 2021 Edition of Will Kylian Mbappe Leave PSG For Real?
I cant remember leonardo getting red carded after an elbow but i do sorta recollect tassotti getting a long ban for elbowing luis enrique or some spanish player. I think he was banned for 10 international matches or something,
He cracked the skull of Tab Ramos, 2nd round. USA played their hearts out that day desperate not to lose on July 4 (their independence day) as hosts. Lalas 22 was immense, but just a split second late for tackle that led to the only goal.
Damn, I’m getting old 😢
😀 Besides of italy and holland i did actually root for usa in the tournament but i cant really remember much now about that usa team but i do recollect that they had a player with a big goatee.
Bro as a fan of Brazil, that’s one of the best moments of my life as I despised the US and everything about them. I personally enjoyed that red card. To this day I still remember it vividly 😁😁😁
And now it’s getting ironic as Milan signed 2 USMNT’s players. Lol.