Diogo Dalot Praises Gonçalo Ramos and Rafael Leão at Milan
Diogo Dalot knows what it means to arrive at San Siro with expectations on your back. He did it himself in the 2020-21 season. So when the Manchester United full-back talks about Gonçalo Ramos and Rafael Leão at Milan, it comes with the weight of experience, not just friendship.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, as relayed by MilanNews.it, Dalot reserved special praise for Ramos, who has made a high-profile move to the Rossoneri.
"I think Gonçalo is a fantastic player to have in the team. The way he works, the way he trains, the way he behaves, the way he's always ready to help the team," Dalot said. "I believe he's been a fantastic signing for the club and I'm really happy he's had this opportunity, because it's a fantastic club."
Dalot knows the environment, the pressure, the stage. Milan can be unforgiving, but it can also elevate a player who embraces it.
"I think he'll really enjoy his time in Milan and I hope he can help the club achieve success and fight for every trophy this season," he added, underlining the expectation that Ramos will be central to Milan’s push on all fronts.
Dalot’s personal bond with Leão
If his words on Ramos were glowing, his thoughts on Rafael Leão carried something deeper. This is not just a compatriot speaking about another Portugal international; it is a friend reflecting on a journey they have shared since their teenage years.
"I've known Leao since I was 15 and I've talked about him many times," Dalot said. "He's a great person, a great human being with a big heart, as well as being a fantastic footballer. That's what makes him special, and I think Milan's fans recognise that too."
Leão’s future has been under the microscope this summer, with reports of interest from Galatasaray and renewed speculation around his long-term stay at Milan. Dalot, though, chose to focus on the bond between player, club and fans.
"For all the years he's been there playing for the club, I think it's important for him to also feel that the fans like him and that the whole environment around him cares for him," he said. "And I think in recent years it's been a fantastic partnership."
Dalot did not touch the transfer rumours directly, but his closing words sounded like both a tribute and a wish for continuity.
"So I really hope he can continue to be successful there, win more trophies, and be one of the best players the club has ever had."
From someone who has worn the Milan shirt and shared a dressing room with Leão, that is not casual praise. It is a challenge laid down—for Ramos to seize his chance, and for Leão to keep building a legacy that could define an era at San Siro.
