Leão, who has since joined Galatasaray, was one of the subjects Tare discussed during an interview with Sky Sport, his first extensive public account of his time at AC Milan following his departure.
“Rafa, I knew him from the outside. When I had the opportunity to get to know him personally, from the inside, I understood that he is an extraordinary guy, someone I genuinely cared about. But he is the player from whom we all expected something more,” Tare said.
“I think football was no longer a priority for him. I think more about his life outside football: music, fashion… But I never questioned his attachment to Milan.”
Tare was keen to distinguish between Leão’s commitment to the club and the level of performance he felt the forward could have produced. He said the player enjoyed representing Milan and was affected when he failed to deliver, while physical problems had also restricted his performances.
“He loved playing for Milan and suffered when he wasn't performing. He also had physical problems and was always playing with the handbrake on,” Tare added.
“I tried to have individual conversations with him, more than with others, and each time I came away with a positive feeling. I sensed that he wanted to, but sometimes wanting something is not enough.”
The former director also addressed the possibility of Leão leaving Milan during the summer of 2025, saying no concrete proposal had arrived during his time at the club.
“There was never a concrete offer for him,” Tare said.
His wider reflections included the work undertaken by Milan’s management during a difficult period, when the club had to balance player sales with the absence of Champions League revenue.
Tare credited the collective work of himself, chief executive Giorgio Furlani, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Geoffrey Moncada for generating significant income through departures, which he said helped finance subsequent recruitment.
“I think I did very good work together with Furlani, Ibra and Moncada. We generated important figures through sales in a year when we were also without the Champions League. Thanks to the work done the previous summer, investments were made this year with that money.”
Tare also acknowledged that his arrival, alongside coach Massimiliano Allegri, had created difficult dynamics within the club. He understood that colleagues who had come through a disappointing season might have felt overlooked as attention focused on the new arrivals.
“I understood that feeling they had, but there was little I could do about it. For me it was a new journey, a new opportunity. It was essential to work as a group and present ourselves as a proper club.”
His comments offer a mixed assessment of Leão: a player Tare says he valued personally and believes remained committed to Milan, but one whose priorities and physical condition, in his view, prevented him from consistently reaching the level expected.