The world of Rafael Leao, inside and outside of soccer. The Portuguese player from Milan shared his story in a lengthy exclusive interview with Sky Sport. Here's the full interview:
Music or football?
"They are my two great passions, let's talk about whatever you want. They are the two things that allow me to express my emotions. On the field with a smile, and through music with words. I tell people never to give up. Stepping into San Siro with the ball and wearing the Milan jersey is always a joy."
How did your passion for music begin?
"I've had it forever. My father was a singer, my uncle a DJ. I've been into music since I was little. I started writing and singing during quarantine because I was spending a lot of time at home. For someone shy like me, it helped bring out emotions during difficult times. That's how I started."
What words do you use in your songs?
"I say never give up. Five years ago, I was a kid playing in France, and today I'm at Milan, one of the best clubs in the world."
When did you realize you would truly become a footballer, and what difficulties did you face? Leao said:
"Both things happened at Sporting Lisbon. I was doing well, training with the first team, but the coach, Jorge Jesus, didn't like working with young players, so I thought it would be hard to break through. Then I started training well, and for a match against Porto, I was called up. I was on the bench, already excited to be with the seniors because it was an important game. At one point, our forward got injured, and the coach told me to go in. I wasn't ready, but at the same time, I wasn't nervous. I thought, 'Now or never.' I came in, we lost, but I scored a goal, and from there, I thought I could do something important."
And any moments of down?
"Yes, when there were injuries and when I went to France. New language, different league, I went there on a free transfer, there were two people who spoke Portuguese, but I spent 5 months on the bench. It was tough. There, I thought I had made the wrong choice. I was very young, I didn't have my mom and dad with me, I lived alone, but that made me grow. If I had stayed in Portugal, I wouldn't have become the player I am now."
Do you identify with the many young players at Milan who are breaking into the first team? You exploded with joy at Simic's goal as if you had scored...
"Yes, an incredible feeling, as if I had scored my first goal for Milan. Simic is a good guy who listens to advice. But also others like Camarda and the guys who train with us must work and make the most of their opportunities. It's not easy, but the opportunity could come tomorrow or the day after, you don't have to wait for years."
Even the older players respect you. Do you feel more like a leader because of this? Leao replied:
"Knowing that my teammates expect a lot from me makes me proud, keeps me calm, motivates me, pushes me to give my best."
Wearing the captain's armband in Milan-Verona, how did the decision mature?
"That week was so-so, we weren't winning. On the day of the match, we had tactical meetings and discussions, then the coach said that without Theo and Calabria, I would be the captain. I didn't expect it, but that's what he said. He said I had everyone's trust. Everyone was happy, and I was proud of that. I've been here for many years; it's already a joy to be here. I hope to be captain more times."
Did any of your idols wear the number 10? Leao said:
"No, because my idol is Ronaldo, who wears the number 7."
What do you lack to reach the level of Ronaldo and Mbappé? Can you reach that?
"Yes, but I'm not selfish. I can score goals, but if I can also assist, I pass to my teammate. At these levels, numbers make the difference because Mbappé, Haaland, Messi put up numbers that speak for themselves. When I think like them, I'll reach that level."
Would you fit into a world top 11?
"Yes, because I'm doing well, and I know I can fit in. Other players my age are now at a higher level than me, though."
Let's create the top 11...
"4-3-3. Maignan, Cancelo on the right, Theo on the left, Thiago Silva at center-back with... Van Dijk? No... Ruben Dias. In midfield, Bellingham, De Bruyne, Modric. Up front, Leao on the left, Vinicius on the right, and Mbappé as center forward."
Milan fans had Baresi, Maldini, Donnarumma, Tonali; now they have the number 10 jersey of Leao as a reference point. Do you love Milan as much as people love you?
"When I arrived here, nobody talked about me; today, I'm an idol. For that, I thank them. They put pressure on me, but it was always good pressure, like saying 'come on, you can do it.' The fans accompanied me; without them, I wouldn't be who I am today."
And the skirt you showed at the Awards?
"Personality. My mom wasn't very convinced; she asked me why I had to wear a skirt, but then she changed her mind and said I looked good (laughs)."
Next passion after soccer: music and fashion?
"I like to try many things. Maybe one day I'll paint pictures. For now, these three are the areas where I like to express myself."
Your special relationship with Stefano Pioli, he knows how to handle you, it's like he's a father figure, can you tell us about it? Leao answered:
"At the beginning, the relationship was a bit strange. I'm someone to whom you have to say the right and direct things without beating around the bush too much. If you talk to me for 30 minutes, I won't listen. His approach was aggressive, and I'm calm, so you have to know how to relate to me. But he understood me, and he changed. He often called me to ask about my family, if I needed something, about my style of play. From there, our relationship changed as if it were a relationship between father and son. When I go on the field, I have the responsibility to play to repay his trust. He deserves the best, he helped me grow as a man and made me responsible. He always says the right thing, not empty words. He doesn't talk much, but he says the right things."
And when you become a father?
"Good question, it's something I want. I'm waiting to find the right girl. I have a great dad, a great mom. I don't know, but I want it so much; I want to be a young father."
If you don't like aggressive people, how did you let Ibrahimovic know how to relate to you?
"When I played well, he didn't say anything to me; when I played badly, he'd come and say, 'Rafa...' He transmitted positive pressure. When you know someone is talking to help you, you know they care about you, so Ibra's advice helped me. Now, with his return, he will help me even more; he is an important person for all of us and for Milan. It's crucial to have him with us."
What can he give you now? What's missing for you to be at the level of Inter and Juve? Leao replied:
"The season is long, but to win it, you can't drop too many points, especially in games you play well in. To win the championship, you have to win almost all the games and draw the ones you can't win. But this year's team is better than last year's. The recent victories have boosted the morale of the group; we want to try to win something important this year."
Could the Europa League be a real, major goal this year? Leao answered:
"Yes, we want to win it. Ibra won it, he'll pass on the experience for us to win it. Milan has never won it. With all my teammates, we know we have the responsibility to be remembered for that too."
An image of the 2021 Scudetto?
"More than an image, a particular match. Against Lazio, with Tonali's goal. It was a 'team moment'; we didn't give up until the end. After that game, we knew it was written, it was destiny, we knew we would win."
2023 was the year of the signature, a pact of love. Can you tell us about the ups and downs of the negotiation? Did you only have Milan in your mind, or did you waver?
"They knew I wanted to stay at Milan for at least another year, also for the sports project and to show what I was worth. I knew I had to wait; it was just a bureaucratic matter."
A song of your career at Milan?
"Eminem, Not Afraid. I like the rhythm, and I like the words. I wasn't afraid to win and show everyone what I was worth. I had to wait for the right moment to grow and seize my opportunity."
A song that makes you think about Milan?
"The one they play at the stadium. 'Che confusione, sarà perché ti amo' – it's an emotion... (Leao sings and smiles)."
Then, before wishing happy holidays, Leao reveals another passion, for Italian cuisine:
"Carbonara, lasagna, pizza, risotto, cotoletta..."
