Leao discusses Milan exit wish, role frustrations, ‘exhausting’ season and Ibrahimovic

Rafael Leao has reiterated his desire to leave AC Milan this summer, reflecting on a season that was anything but positive in his eyes.

Having given an interview to Sport TV over the weekend in which he admitted that he wants to try a different experience after seven years at Milan, the forward has doubled down on that stance. He had a campaign with more downs than ups, despite finishing as the club’s top scorer.

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Leao played injured for part of the season, out of position for the vast majority of it and was booed by the fans towards the end. Now, it seems as though he is ready to call time on things more than half a decade after his arrival from Lille back in 2019.

He spoke again to Sport TV about his experience with the Rossoneri, his relationship with Paolo Maldini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his expectations for the future. His words are via MilanNews.

How do you view your future?

“I need a new challenge. I’ve already won two trophies in Italy and have been there for a while. It’s a league that’s evolving, but for my style of football, a Premier League or Spanish La Liga would better showcase my talent and me as a player.

“If the Premier League opportunity were to come my way, I’d be very happy: I think I could match my talent against players at a very high level. Playing in that kind of league really enhances a player’s potential.”

How was the season?

“It was a difficult season. We didn’t make it to the Champions League. I played injured for four or five months with tendinitis, in a position that wasn’t my style. The tactical system didn’t help me.

“I felt I could make a difference, but the way the team behaved didn’t put me in a position to do so. In the end, it becomes exhausting.”

You arrived back in 2019, after a phone call from Maldini…

“Inter had been interested first. Luís Campos told me they were thinking of selling me. I said I wanted to stay another year. Then a few days later he told me Milan had come forward with a €25m offer. And he told me someone wanted to talk to me.

“A few hours later they passed me a phone call and… Maldini, Maldini talking to me. I couldn’t say no. I got a lot of good energy from him.”

What is your relationship with Ibrahimovic like?

“He’s a good person, but if you’re psychologically weak, you let him influence you. His approach sometimes seems negative. If you’re someone who immediately feels attacked by the way he talks to you, you’ll feel bad. He’s not the type to pat you on the back, not even in training.

“Personally, he’s always been very important to me. He’s helped me on and off the pitch. He’s an idol. Having him in the squad always intimidated even the opposing team. And for me, who can be a bit distracted at times, he kept me on my toes every minute of the game.”

And Stefano Pioli?

“We were together for many years, and from my second year on, he began to understand me better as a person and gave me the freedom to express my talent.

“He prepared the team very well: I was free to simply play football. He’s someone who had a huge impact on my career because he helped me win my first title.”

What is your best role?

“As a winger, after dribbling, I have more time to think about whether to shoot, dribble again, or cross. But playing as a second striker, I’m closer to the goal and I have to be more concrete: either I make an assist or I shoot. It’s a detail I need to work on.

“Ultimately, football these days is based on numbers, and it’s the last step I’m missing. Am I predictable on the wing? Teams have adapted. When the ball reaches the winger, two or three defenders are already there.

“Switching from the wing to second striker, or into central areas, I get close to the goal two or three times during the game and then I’m open again. This makes my game more unpredictable.”