Rafael Leao insists he ‘never’ thought about leaving Milan, while supporting Mike Maignan is important, but he fears ‘racism will never be completely eradicated.’
The Portugal international is releasing his book next month and sat down with Che Tempo Che Fa to discuss his life and career so far.
“I like to smile and respond to people with optimism, that is how I approach life,” said Leao. “It’s my way of saying I don’t need to use words, I can smile.
“Perhaps I could’ve waited a bit longer before writing a book, but I wanted people to get to know how I am in private too, so they could understand who I really am.”
He spent hours playing football in the streets in Portugal, although admitting sometimes the other kids would exclude him for being too good.
His career really took off after the transfer from Lille to Milan in the summer of 2019, where he got to work with icons like Maldini and Ibrahimovic.
“Maldini really helped me at the start and I miss him. He told me off a few times too, as he should, and has a strong personality.
“As for Zlatan, he is incredible and we are really happy to still have him here with us, because he is a great motivator.”
There were so many reports, and more of them today, suggesting that Leao could leave Milan for Chelsea, PSG or even Newcastle United.
“I never thought of leaving Milan. This club really helped me to grow up, to mature. I had difficulties at the start, it’s not like it looks on television.”
Milan won the Scudetto in the 2021-22 campaign, with Leao named Serie A Player of the Year, then reached the Champions League semi-finals the next term.
“I did well in the Champions League and want to do even more with Milan. As for the Scudetto, it was so emotional, I will never forget that day. We felt so sure that we’d win it, I remember bursting into tears under the Curva Sud along with my parents.”
This season is not going quite so well, coming off a 2-2 draw with Bologna where both Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez missed penalties.
“I did say I might take the next penalty, but Giroud has always been a specialist, so he will do well next time.”
Milan teammates had to rally round Mike Maignan when he threatened to walk off due to repeated racist abuse from a group of Udinese fans at the Bluenergy Stadium.
“He was annoyed and he didn’t want to play, as it is not the first time this has happened, but we stayed by his side. It is sad for him and all black players, we have to fight racism every day and we thank Milan for all they did.
“We must fight. Unfortunately I doubt racism will ever be completely eradicated, but we still have to fight.”
Milan stopped play in the Bologna game at San Siro at the 16th minute – as Maignan wears the Number 16 jersey – to show a quote from Martin Luther King.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.”
“Maignan era molto nervoso, non voleva giocare perchè non era la prima volta che succedeva..Noi della squadra stavamo con lui. Io personalmente sono dispiaciuto per davvero tutti i giocatori neri. E’ una cosa che dobbiamo combattere”@RafaeLeao7 a #CTCF sull’episodio di… pic.twitter.com/ZqXFgvsz1m
— Che Tempo Che Fa (@chetempochefa) January 28, 2024