During the usual appointment with the podcast 'Euro Cronache' from Cronache di Spogliatoio, Mediaset journalist Riccardo Trevisani talked about Rafael Leao and the criticisms directed at Milan's number 10 for his allegedly underwhelming performance in Portugal's debut at Euro 2024 against the Czech Republic.
Here are his statements:
"Why is it always him and not the others? Why Leao, why always Leao? Why do you all have it out for Leao? Because you know he is so much better that if he doesn’t destroy the game every time, he’s considered useless. No! I have a sort of protection because he is a constant target for everyone, and he has been since he arrived, not just today when he earns seven million a year, is number 10, and all that, but since the beginning. It's always been, 'Oh, but...', 'Oh, but Leao...', 'Oh, but he doesn't score...' It's crazy. In a generation that can't grow under the shadow of their grandfather, because soon, you'll have an age difference where Ronaldo is practically 30 years older than the young Portuguese players. Instead of blaming someone who plays a 40-year-old for 90 minutes, we blame the kids who can't grow up. But as long as they walk with training wheels, they will never grow up. Take Ronaldo away, let them grow, give them responsibilities, because they will always be there, arriving outside the penalty area and passing the ball to Ronaldo."
