​Mario Gila believes he can unlock his full potential at Milan and understands the weight of the pressure that comes with wearing the Milan shirt, then bids Lazio farewell through tears. The defender completed his transfer today for a reported fee of €25 million, plus up to €5 million in add-ons, with half of that amount going to Real Madrid as part of the arrangement made in 2022. He has signed a contract with AC Milan that runs until June 2031 and will wear the Number 34 jersey.
In a video released by Milan, Gila expresses confidence about the move. “We can do great things together. I feel like I can reach my full potential here,” he told the club’s official social media channels. “I think that I can help the team in every phase.” The Spaniard also described himself as a perfectionist who never gives up and consistently aims high in all aspects of life, both on and off the pitch.
Despite coming through Real Madrid’s renowned youth system, Gila recognises that Milan represents a different kind of pressure compared with Lazio. “This shirt has a really special weight to it, which I’m aware of. I’m here to learn and give my all on the pitch in order to reach the levels that have made AC Milan great,” he said, acknowledging the club’s storied history and the high expectations that accompany the Milan jersey in Italy and across Europe.
Gila recorded a farewell message, published on Lazio’s official channels, to salute the fans he has known over four years at the Stadio Olimpico. In the video, he addressed the Lazio supporters directly, signaling that this moment marks a goodbye. “Hey guys, how are you? I think this is a goodbye. I want to thank all of you. It’s been emotional since the first moment I arrived here. I was a little kid who just started to feel what it means to be a professional footballer, but over time I found people and situations that shaped me into who I am today,” he began.
He went on to thank the fans for their unwavering support, as well as his teammates and the staff who work both inside and outside the dressing room, and his family, who always believed in him. “Thank you to the fans, to my teammates, to the staff who work inside and outside the dressing room, to my family, those who always believed in me. I thank you all for what you gave me. Lazio believes that you can do better things, and I, too, am sure of that. You deserve everything; you are an incredible club. You gave me so much love, made me feel important. I don’t know if I’ll feel that kind of love elsewhere, because this city is incredible and will always remain in my heart,” he added, his voice catching with emotion.
Gila concluded with a heartfelt farewell: “I say goodbye to you with immense pain in my heart. Forza Lazio always,” a line spoken through tears, underscoring the sense of sentiment surrounding his departure. The transfer to AC Milan marks a new chapter for the defender, who now faces the challenge of adapting to a club with a different pressure landscape and a new set of expectations as he looks to contribute to Milan’s ambitions in the coming seasons.