Rafael Leao, Milan's forward, was interviewed by Sky Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport during the Rossoneri's training camp in the United States.
Here are his words:
On the renewal:
"It's an act of love. The decision was already in my mind; I thought about it a lot. It was just a matter of timing, choosing the right moment. Before signing the contract, I wanted to reach the Champions League final... but we didn't make it. Perhaps in today's football, it's impossible to stay with the same club for a lifetime. I signed for five years, which means I want to stay here. The project is very important; there are many young players, and the most important thing is that I can continue to grow to achieve my goal: winning a lot."
On the objective of the season:
"We must win a trophy. We have to train hard and understand what the manager wants to build a great team for the season. From what I've seen against Real [Madrid], we have a very strong squad. I've already realized the dream of winning the Scudetto, now the Champions League is missing, the trophy that every player wants to win. However, winning in Italy is difficult because there are many strong teams, and in 38 matches, you can't afford to drop points. European cups have shown in the last year that Serie A is a strong league."
On choosing the number 10 shirt, Leao said:
"I'm proud to have the number 10, but it will be even more special to play with the 10 at San Siro. I liked it a lot, just like I like the number 7... but the 7 belongs to Yacine [Adli]. I didn't know if Brahim [Diaz] would leave, and he's my friend. When I heard he had to go back to Madrid, I asked the club for the number 10. The 10, like Gullit? I've seen a couple of his videos; he was incredibly strong one-on-one, fast. However, I can't compare myself to a player like that; I still have a long way to go to reach that level."
On the new signing:
"Milan is a historic and great club. It's not easy to show everyone why I am here, but I certainly try to help the new guys who arrive. Pulisic is strong in one-on-one situations. In general, they are all very talented. This year, from the goalkeeper to the striker, we are all strong. I feel the atmosphere is top-notch, and we can have a great season. Christian is a strong player who can make a difference on both the right and left sides. Loftus-Cheek is powerful; he carries the ball and is the player who will push the team forward from behind. In Serie A, there is no player like him. Reijnders is good at set-pieces. Tijjani kicks well and is strong in passing. The midfielder is essential for us to control the game."
On the role of a leader:
"Yes, I feel more and more like a leader, thanks to the trust of my teammates. I'm not a person who talks a lot, but I'm trying to do it more, to be a voice, even though I think there are players better at speaking for the team. When I arrived, some teammates took me under their wing, and now I'm doing the same with the new ones."
Leao commented on Paolo Maldini's exit from the club:
"It was a surprise. I came to Milan also because Maldini called me. He was very important to me; he helped me on and off the field, but the club made that decision. Perhaps we'll see each other in the future."
About Sandro Tonali's transfer to Newcastle:
"I didn't expect his departure, but the club made that decision. It wasn't easy because Sandro is a Milan fan; he helped us win the Scudetto. He completed his journey at Milan, and now I wish him the best."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"A teammate forwarded his message of support on the team's WhatsApp group: he says he's rooting for us and that he's one of us. Perhaps we'll see him again soon."
