There is a strong disconnect between how Rafael Leao is perceived from the outside and how he actually behaves inside Milanello. There is the player portrayed by the media, disinterested, unprofessional, and then there is the player who is respected and well-liked by his teammates and the coaching staff.
As the years go by, the divide in how Leao is interpreted, if anything, keeps growing. For many journalists, he seems more interested in music and fashion. He doesn’t work hard, isn’t involved, and remains an eternal underachiever, as relayed via Milan Press.
Those who see him every day, who share the dressing room with him, tell a different story: a humble, professional, empathetic young man who is increasingly taking on a leadership role. His celebrations have often been analyzed, and many times they are shared moments, sometimes dedicated to teammates who struggled more during the match.
The impression is that Rafa has grown a lot as a person, partly due to natural maturity, and perhaps also thanks to becoming a parent. He clearly has a strong resistance to criticism: while he occasionally responds directly on social media to those who attack him, he has never really shown particular signs of frustration.
It’s a shame that he is so misunderstood. When he speaks frankly, even using strong expressions, he is not taken seriously. But when he smiles on the pitch, he is immediately accused of having an overly carefree attitude.
Pundits bring him up in all kinds of discussions, sometimes completely out of context, like recently, when Alcaraz was criticized and compared to Leao after failing to perform well and being knocked out early from a Masters 1000.
There seems to be an obsession with the Portuguese player. He attracts attention, generates headlines, and draws focus. What can be observed, however, is that he is mentally much stronger than he is often portrayed. A more emotionally fragile player might suffer under such scrutiny. He’s not perfect, he’s not a Ballon d’Or winner, but he is far more composed and professional than many make him out to be.
If Allegri defends him, there is reason to trust that judgment. And even in his home country, he is highly regarded, he is well appreciated within the national team. In short, those who work with him (not only within Milan) hold him in high esteem.
