"I'm a romantic," Leonardo told his first news conference at Inter's training ground having arrived to wild applause.
"I wasn't looking for work, I was looking for a dream and this is the biggest challenge there is."
He has returned to Serie A with Milan's biggest rivals having replaced Benitez but said his acceptance of the role was not the start of a vendetta against the Rossoneri.
"I thank Milan for 13 years together and I will never forget them but now I start a new adventure. I am a free man."
"I still believe in the scudetto. I know 13 points is a lot but the championship still has a long way to run," added Leonardo, whose first game in charge is the January 6 clash with Napoli at the familiar San Siro.
"I am very happy about this appointment, I have always rated him," Moratti said of a man who speaks five languages.
"Now let him work without pressure but with all the ambition that we must have as champions of the world. He bears a heavy weight on his shoulders, as I do, for the decision the club have taken."
