Gonçalo Ramos never truly managed to establish himself at Paris Saint-Germain following his arrival from Benfica in 2023, eventually departing for AC Milan during the 2026 summer transfer window. In an interview for the Canal 11 show Soltinhos pelo Mundo, the 25-year-old Portuguese striker opened up about the difficulties he faced at PSG and the reasons behind his decision to leave.
Ramos: “It was frustrating at times; it really annoyed me.”
“During my time at PSG, I don’t think I ever managed to start four or five consecutive matches. It was frustrating at times; it really annoyed me. There were even spells where I scored in four or five games in a row without ever being in the starting lineup. To me, that made no sense. I used to talk about it with my family.”
Ramos: “Turning that bitterness into something positive.”
“I knew that if I sulked, it would only work against me. If I maintained my dignity and kept working hard, no one could ever question my professionalism or claim that I was just moping around. They could never say, ‘He didn’t give his all, he didn’t help the team, he just sulked.’ Of course, I felt some bitterness—but it was up to me to transform that bitterness into something positive, to convince myself that I was going to achieve great things.
That’s what happened with Vitinha during the European Super Cup against Tottenham. We were at halftime, trailing 1–0, I believe. I turned to him and said, ‘Don’t worry, brother—I’m going to score, that’s for sure.'” He looked at me and said, “This guy’s crazy.” It was meant to provoke me, and I thought to myself, “Well, I said it, so I have to go through with it.” And that’s what happened.
Ramos: “I had reached a point where I only wanted one thing: to leave.”
I wanted to leave PSG, but leaving in January is always more complicated. It wasn’t the best option, even though that’s what I wanted. I understand it better now. I had reached a point where I only wanted one thing: to leave. The club refused immediately, because for me to leave, they would have needed to find a replacement. But Luís Campos promised me that he would let me go this summer. He gave me his word. During the World Cup, I was in touch with Jorge (Mendes, his agent), and interest from Milan emerged.
Ramos: “It hurt to leave PSG.”
It hurt to leave PSG because the group was very close-knit. There were three other Portuguese players with whom I spent all my time—traveling, training, playing matches, even with the national team… They knew I wanted to leave, and they’d joke, telling me to stay just for the “vibe.” We shared some truly exceptional moments together—the kind you rarely come across in a career,” as reported by Foot Mercato.
It’s clear that Ramos didn’t have only good experiences in Paris, though he wasn’t entirely unhappy either. There’s a mix of confusion, disappointment, and, at the same time, positive feelings. The forward didn’t necessarily want to leave PSG for the sake of leaving; rather, he wanted a more significant role. This is understandable, as his situation was truly frustrating. Yet, this did not stop him from engaging with the group or savoring the successes achieved—memories that will endure.
The same can be said for his professionalism. It must be acknowledged that the striker handled the situation in the best possible way; Ramos avoided complaining in public or making his frustration obvious. He gave his all to earn more playing time and assist the team whenever the opportunity arose—something he managed to do at crucial moments, with remarkable determination.
Unfortunately, the Portuguese player never quite managed to prove himself when given a starting role. There was a missing link in his integration with the team, and he struggled to find the back of the net. While his frustration is understandable, he did have chances to shine, yet his performances as a starter were very often disappointing. It is a pity, but ultimately, the positives stand out: he played a part in historic seasons and left the squad in the best possible shape.
His departure this summer was undoubtedly the best outcome for everyone involved. Ramos is now seeing more playing time in Milan, while PSG has shifted toward new options better suited to their style of play—bringing in Ferran Torres (26) and Maghnes Akliouche (24) to replace Lee Kang-In (25), who moved to Atlético de Madrid after experiencing a similar situation.
