Rafael Leão’s transfer from AC Milan to Galatasaray in the recent window has received the endorsement of Italy international Nicolò Zaniolo, who believes the Portuguese forward made the correct decision.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Calciomercato e Goal, Udinese forward Zaniolo—who reaffirmed his commitment to his current club after a “turbulent summer” according to LiveScore—described Leão as a “world-class player” and “one of the best wingers around.” Zaniolo himself previously played for Galatasaray.
Zaniolo on Leão’s Decision
Zaniolo stated, “I think so. Leao is a world-class player, one of the best wingers around. Galatasaray are a prestigious club who play in the Champions League, and Turkish football is growing enormously by bringing in stars such as Osimhen and Sané.”
He continued, “If he had the opportunity to play for Galatasaray and play in the Champions League with them, he certainly made the right decision. I wish him all the best and hope he keeps enjoying himself and showing everyone how good he is, because even though I don’t know him personally, I instinctively like him.”
Galatasaray’s Appeal
The Italian’s comments highlight several factors that make Galatasaray an attractive destination for top talent. Zaniolo emphasised the club’s prestige and their participation in the Champions League. He also pointed to the significant growth of Turkish football, noting its success in attracting other prominent players, such as Osimhen and Sané, which indicates an upward trajectory for the league.
Zaniolo’s own experiences with the Turkish club were discussed in the interview. He described the atmosphere at Galatasaray’s stadium as “unreal,” where “you can’t hear a team-mate a metre away and have to speak into his ear.” He added, “Every match, there are 50,000 or 60,000 fired-up fans; it always feels like a Champions League final.”
While discussing his time at Aston Villa in the Premier League, Zaniolo referred to the English top flight as “the NBA of football.” He found adapting to the Premier League challenging due to the “huge competition up front” and needing time to adjust culturally. Despite this, he considered it an experience that “enriched me personally.”
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