Rafael Leao gave a long interview to Icon Magazine in which he spoke about several topics. Here are his words:
On his arrival at Milan in 2019:
"Yes, a lot of time has passed. I arrived when I was twenty years old, I felt like a kid. Now, instead, I’ve become a man: the club, with all its staff—from my teammates to the directors—has helped me grow. Every day, season after season, they gave me and taught me so much. I have to thank everyone who has been by my side during these years at Milan: each one has been important for my growth," as relayed via Milannews.it.
On criticism:
"I usually don’t read criticism. If they criticize you, it’s because you’re good at what you do and a lot is expected of you. Anyway, I don’t feel pressure because I love football, it’s the most beautiful thing there is for me. I was born playing football; every time I step onto the pitch I try to make the most of the opportunity to do what I love the most. Obviously, it’s also a job, which I always approach with responsibility, but also with the desire to have fun with my teammates and to make the most of the opportunity."
On the matches he holds in his heart:
"Among those with the national team, the match against Ghana, at Qatar 2022, when I made my debut in a World Cup competition (with a goal too, my first with the Portugal shirt, editor’s note). With Milan, the match against Sassuolo away, the last game of the season, May 2022, which then gave us the Scudetto," said Leao.
On his dribbling skills:
"Dribbling is perhaps the symbol of my calmness on the field: people talk, there’s pressure, but when I’m on the pitch I manage to put everything aside. A challenge with myself kicks in. My objective: to always try to do better."
On his relationship with Milan:
"There are only positive things in Milan. There are lots of Milan fans, the food is good, the climate is similar to that of Portugal. My family feels at home here. Do I miss my country? Of course, yes, a part of my family is in Portugal, my children were born there, it will always be a piece of my heart. But Italy has given me a lot, it’s part of my growth: I will carry it inside me forever."
On his passion for fashion:
"I’m a simple guy, so I like simple things: I like to dress comfortably, I don’t let myself be influenced and I don’t wear something to please others. Milan is beautiful also for this: there’s Fashion Week, there are well-dressed, stylish people. Since I arrived, I’ve learned a lot also in terms of style. How did my passion for fashion start? Thanks to my father, since I was a child. We didn’t have much, but even with the little we had, he always tried to dress me well, to put nice shoes on me. And he also paid attention to dressing well and was interested in fashion."
On music, Leao said:
"I listen to everything, every musical genre. It depends on the mood, on how I wake up in the morning. I play every type of music based on my mood. Was Ibrahimovic not happy at the beginning of my rapper career? There’s a right time for everything. He’s someone who demands maximum concentration on and off the pitch, but he understood my personality, that music is something that belongs to me, and also that I’m a responsible person and, as a footballer, I’m not distracted by this passion of mine."
On being a father, Leao said:
"I’ve learned the value of time, to take advantage of every moment with my children. When I’m sad, as soon as I get home and see them, I forget all the difficulties because they are my strength. Their smile gives me energy. There can be problems and more problems but they give me the motivation to get through everything. They are two beautiful kids. I hope I can give them a wonderful future."
On what he likes to do in his free time:
"Stay at home and rest. I sleep a lot. A footballer’s life isn’t as easy as it may seem. It seems like we can do and buy everything, but rest and being with your family are the most important things. No money can buy them. So, after training, I stay at home with my family, with my children. When I’m alone I try to rest as much as possible and to organize my thoughts about the next things I want to achieve."
On his future:
"I still have many goals to achieve: I want to keep having fun and playing at a high level."
