Milan forward Gonçalo Ramos is set to face his former club Benfica in the Europa League on Wednesday evening, a fixture he admits holds significant personal meaning. Ramos, who spent a decade on Benfica’s books, has stated his clear intention to score against them but insists he will not celebrate if he finds the back of the net.
A Decade at Benfica
Speaking at the pre-match press conference alongside head coach Ruben Amorim, Ramos reflected on his deep connection to the Portuguese club. “I won’t celebrate because Benfica is my ‘home’ so to speak. I spent more time at Benfica than I did at my family’s home, so I don’t want to celebrate,” Ramos explained. Despite this sentiment, his professional ambition remains undimmed. “I definitely want to score, without a doubt. If possible, more than one, but I won’t celebrate.”
The match marks Milan’s first European outing of the 2026-27 season, with the Italian giants hosting Benfica at San Siro. Ramos highlighted the importance of playing at home. “It will be a tough game, but playing in San Siro is always special. We feel the support of our fans and it always helps playing at home. It has that different flavour,” he said, adding that the team aims to use the home advantage to boost their confidence.
Milan’s European Start and Ramos’s Role
The Portugal international also addressed media suggestions regarding his goal-scoring record after just four matches of the new season. Ramos believes that a striker’s performance should not be solely judged by goals. “Whether I score or don’t, I believe that the most important thing is that the team wins, even if I’m not the main man or the one who wins the game,” he stated. He emphasised the importance of collective effort: “I think if we all run and work a lot together, in a smart way, we can achieve a lot this season.”
Ramos also shared a brief interaction with Milan club advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was at the training ground this week. “I didn’t receive any specifics. He was kind and asked how I’m doing, he welcomed me to the club and it’s a pleasure to be able to reach out to him,” Ramos revealed, acknowledging the value of having a legend like Ibrahimovic’s support.
As Milan prepares for their Europa League challenge, Ramos remains focused on integrating with his new team and contributing to their success. “We’re still getting to know each other. I’ve recently moved to a new team, we’re creating and understanding the synergy. I believe that we will improve as time goes on and without a doubt, my goals, assists and the team’s victories will start to increase as well.”