Gonçalo Ramos is not only the most expensive signing in AC Milan’s history. The €74 million plus bonuses invested by the Rossoneri to snatch the Portuguese striker from Paris Saint-Germain also make him the main face of the club’s new sporting project and the man tasked with keeping the flame alive in a transfer window that started strongly but has since slowed down due to difficulties with outgoing deals. For Ramos, however, Milan represents above all an opportunity: the chance to prove that he is not merely a luxury substitute, but a top-level striker. A very good one.
Under Luis Enrique at the Parc des Princes, Gonçalo Ramos built a reputation as a striker capable of making an impact when coming off the bench, a role that was indirectly replicated with the Portuguese national team as well. Last season, the forward made 45 appearances, starting only 15 matches and coming on as a substitute in the others, yet still managing to score 12 goals. During his time in the Paris shirt, he scored a remarkable 17 goals after entering as a substitute, numbers that highlight his composure, positional awareness and, above all, his ability to make the most of limited minutes and the opportunities available to him.
Now, however, his role is changing. Milan are offering Gonçalo Ramos consistency, responsibility and, above all, the opportunity to be the Rossoneri’s attacking reference from the very first minute. No longer the emergency option, the player often underestimated, but rather the striker around whom the attack (and perhaps even the entire attacking structure) will be built.
Ruben Amorim is certainly Gonçalo Ramos’ biggest supporter, especially because the Portuguese coach strongly wanted his compatriot. However, it will now be up to Milan’s manager to put the 2001-born striker in the best conditions to showcase the qualities he displayed at Benfica, where he scored 27 goals in 47 appearances during the 2022-23 season.
Milan have been searching for a truly decisive centre-forward for years, especially considering that it has been more than a decade since a Rossoneri striker surpassed 20 goals in a Serie A season. The last one? Zlatan Ibrahimović in 2011-12, with 28 goals.
Ramos therefore arrives at the right place at the right time. Milan are giving him trust, a central role and enormous responsibility, while it will be up to him to transform the label of “super sub” into the much heavier one of being the Rossoneri’s starting striker.
