AC Milan winger Rafael Leao did not want to accept the MVP award that he was given by UEFA for his performance against Newcastle United, a report claims.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recalls that Leao missed a big chance in the 34th minute of the game when he tried a back heel rather inexplicably, having done the hard part and got into a shooting position inside the box.
The paper adds that ‘the most disheartening moment’ was not Fikayo Tomori’s scolding after the miss or the dark faces of his team-mates and coaches in the dressing room following the two points dropped, but the MVP award awarded to him by UEFA.
It sounded like a joke to him, and the Portuguese didn’t want to accept it, knowing full well he didn’t deserve it, but he was trapped by protocol obligations. He had to be photographed with the statuette which he certainly won’t display in the living room.
It wasn’t easy to even meet his relatives after the game. Rafa’s entire family was present at San Siro and it is perhaps the case that he wanted to score a highlight reel goal just for them, but instead it ended up being a night of great disappointment.
What is Uefa thinking? They should have gave it to Nick Pope.
I’m more bothered with that blue s**t.
What do they smoke? I can’t imagine his discomfort. But he will shake this off and get back to business. Hope we are not going to rue his miss come the end of the group stages.
UEFA apparently doesn’t watch the games 🤣🤣🤣
It is now the right time to sell Leo before his market value drops.
Why? Because he missed a back heel? Right…. LMAO!!!
This award makes me to believe that this was a fixed match by UEFA for a scoreless draw and this is to appreciate Leao for not scoring.
Leao was the most lazy player on the pitch.
He did absolutely nothing other than lazy about.
he deserves to be beaten heavily by Zlatan.
UEFA and AC Milan are a disgrace.
Dear God… where do these people climb out of? Are there more people like you under the rock where you hide?
What does your comment even mean?
lol
Didn’t surprise me if UEFA choose mvp based on the name. Nick Pope or Krunic deserve it, but unfortunately the didn’t have the big name
This is the right answer. It’s also why goalkeepers and defenders don’t win the Ballon D’Or. It’s all marketing, and marketing flashy attackers that score goals is too easy. Messi and Ronaldo have dominated the awards over the last 15 years, and now other younger attackers like Haaland are starting to get awarded, but there have been some simply outstanding defenders and goalkeepers that should have been recognized. It’s an absolute travesty that Buffon never won the Ballon D’Or. It’s a miracle that Cannavaro won his in 2006. If you look back at the early days of the Ballon D’Or you will see many more defenders and midfielders. It goes to show where the priority is in the game now.
You have said it all. If UEFA have been putting midfielders, defenders and keepers into consideration, two players wouldn’t have dominated the Ballon D’or for over two decades. The rules should be reviewed and only a few people that are not biased should be allowed to vote for the best players.
The difference between Mbappe and Leao is that Mbappe HAS REAL RESULTS, Leao plays some stupid kid game.
Difference between Mbappe and Leao: Mbappe HAS REAL RESULTS, Leao plays some children’s game.
As much as i rate Leao’s pshysicality and pace very highly, I think Leao has low football IQ