Gonçalo Ramos tells Canal 11 he wanted to leave PSG over substitute role

Gonçalo Ramos sought AC Milan transfer after frustrating Paris Saint-Germain substitute role

Gonçalo Ramos wanted to leave Paris Saint-Germain by the January 2026 transfer window because he was stuck in a substitute role, Foot Mercato reported. The Portugal international eventually completed a move to AC Milan last summer for a fee of €74 million, becoming the most expensive signing in the history of the Italian club.

During his three seasons in the French capital, Ramos made 131 appearances across all competitions, scoring 45 goals and providing 10 assists. Despite those returns, he rarely broke into the starting lineup under Luis Enrique, managing 31 caps and 14 goals for his national team while largely operating as a reserve at club level. In Lombardy, he has scored three goals and added one assist in his first 10 matches, locking down a regular spot in the attack.

Frustration behind the scenes at Parc des Princes

Ramos revealed that his lack of consecutive starts at Paris Saint-Germain tested his patience over three campaigns. In an interview broadcast on Canal 11’s program Soltinhos pelo Mundo, the striker detailed how he would score in multiple consecutive matches without ever being rewarded with a place in the starting XI.

“Au cours de mes trois dernières années au PSG, je ne pense pas avoir jamais enchaîné quatre ou cinq matchs d’affilée en tant que titulaire,” Ramos told the program. “C’était parfois frustrant, ça m’énervait. Il m’est même arrivé de marquer pendant quatre ou cinq matchs de suite sans être titulaire une seule fois. Et pour moi, ça n’avait aucun sens. J’en parlais avec ma famille.”

Unlike some of his predecessors in Paris, such as Edinson Cavani who publicly lamented being deployed out wide to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ramos kept his grievances private. He explained that making a public fuss would only damage his own reputation and hand critics ammunition to question his attitude.

“Je savais que si je faisais la tête, ça me porterait préjudice,” Ramos said. “Si je faisais preuve de dignité en continuant à travailler, personne ne remettrait jamais en cause mon professionnalisme ni ne dirait que j’avais fait la gueule. Ils ne pourraient jamais dire : ‘il n’a pas tout donné, il n’a pas aidé, il a boudé.’ J’avais bien sûr de l’amertume. Mais c’était à moi de transformer ces aigreurs en quelque chose de positif.”

Campos promised Ramos a summer transfer

According to the player, Luís Campos gave his word that a summer transfer would be permitted.

“Je voulais quitter le PSG, mais en janvier, c’est toujours plus compliqué de partir,” Ramos recounted. “Le club a tout de suite refusé, car pour que je parte, il fallait qu’ils trouvent un remplaçant. Mais Luís Campos m’a assuré qu’il me laisserait partir cet été. Il m’a donné sa parole.”

Discussions accelerated during the World Cup, involving his agent Jorge Mendes and coach Ruben Amorim. The move was finalized following a morning phone call from Mendes confirming the agreement.

Despite his desire to leave, Ramos admitted that cutting ties with the Paris Saint-Germain dressing room carried an emotional toll. He highlighted the close bond shared with his Portuguese teammates during training sessions, travel, and international duty.

“Ça m’a fait mal de quitter le PSG, car le groupe était très soudé,” he said. “Il y avait les trois Portugais avec qui je passais tout mon temps. Les déplacements, les entraînements, les matchs, la sélection… Ils savaient que je voulais partir et, pour rigoler, ils me disaient de rester juste pour ‘l’ambiance’.”

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