Some more interesting comments have emerged from Rafael Leao’s appearance on the Brazilian podcast Podpah.
Leao and public media appearances have not exactly been a marriage made in heaven this summer. It all started before the World Cup, when an interview with Portuguese television was broadcast in which the winger made clear that he sees his time at Milan to be over.
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Earlier on Friday, extracts from his episode of Podpah in Brazil began to surface, in which he both doubled down on his desire to leave the Rossoneri but also somewhat walked it back by pledging to give his all if he is to remain.
Amid talk of a potential move to Turkey being negotiations – with Fenerbahce now taking the lead over Galatasaray – the rest of the interview on the podcast makes for interesting viewing. MilanNews relay his words from Sao Paulo.
How was your first season at Milan?
“In the first season, I scored a few goals [laughs]… I only started playing in the second half of the season. I scored about eight… eight goals, six goals. Yes, yes, yes.
“No, it went well, it went well… the goals. And you know, these days, eight goals for a player… let’s say, a Milan player… you know how it is, right? People are starting to expect more; it has to be 10, 15 or more.
“Especially after the arrival of people like Haaland and Mbappé… those two… 60 goals, damn it. You score 10 goals… only 10 goals, damn it. 10 goals… 10 goals is a lot of goals.”
What are the Milan fans like?
“AC Milan fans are incredibly passionate. The media there… I don’t even know how things work… It’s complicated.”
Is it true Inter also pushed for you?
“I said no, I asserted myself. Even if they were playing in the Champions League. No, I don’t want to go, mate, I said. I don’t want to go to Inter. After a few days, my agent told me: ‘Listen, Milan will make you an offer in a few hours.’
“I said: ‘What do you mean? Are you sure?’ ‘Yes, Milan… and someone will call you.’ I replied: ‘Okay, good [laughs], I’ll keep my eyes open.’
The one who convinced you, without even too much insistence, was Paolo Maldini…
“My agent said to me, ‘Listen, this person will call in five minutes; stay here because you’ll talk on FaceTime.’ It was Maldini. He said, ‘Hi, Rafael. How are you?’ and everything else. ‘You already know that Milan is interested; we see a great future in you and we want to bring you here to Milan.’
“I said, ‘Oh, I’ll come right away.’ I mean, sure, like, tomorrow. And, damn, I couldn’t say no, you know? When he calls… that’s how it went.”
You won the league in 2021-22 as the MVP…
“After 12 years, we won the title. Maldini was a key figure, a fundamental element in decisive matches. He really knew how to assert himself in crucial moments. And I think that, after that championship, my status changed, both on and off the pitch.
“And I feel immense gratitude for what I have achieved. And then… Italy is a country that lives for football, and you can feel it in everything: in restaurants, wherever I go, I receive… I receive so much affection, enormous affection.”
Did you speak with Luka Modric, who has just renewed?
“During the Portugal-Croatia match, I went up to him and asked if he’d stay another year or if he’d quit. He still hadn’t decided. He always trains at the highest level with the highest quality. He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with.
“He’s another mentor to me. Because he’s a player who’s won everything there is to win at Real Madrid, including the Ballon d’Or. I think it’s always a pleasure to have him, and he’s a person with a kind heart towards everyone.
“In my head, I thought that at 41, after winning everything at Real Madrid, he might play and not play. But he’s always played. In training, he’s always perfect, 100%. He plays very well, he makes passes where it seems like the ball won’t go in, but in the end, he gets through. He’s the best midfielder I’ve ever played with.”
More talk on the future
Towards the end of the discussion, the hosts pressed Leao for an answer on what might happen regarding his future at club level.
Igão: “I saw you say to Milan: ‘Milan, thank you so much, this time here has been fantastic, I think I’ll look to other horizons’.”
Leao: “Yes, I’ll go to Corinthians (laughs).”
Mitico: “You’re kidding, you’re kidding.”
Igão: “You can forget it ESPN, he spoke here.”
Leao: “I’ve already spoken to the club about the possibility of trying a new experience. I don’t know if it will happen. I have to show up there (with AC Milan) on the 29th, and while I’m there, I’ll give it my all, always respecting the club that has given me everything.
“I think it’s a club that has helped me a lot in every way, but in life, you have ambitions for other things too, and if that happens, I’ll study the options, but I could also remain a AC Milan player.”
Igão: “Would you play in Brazil?”
Leao: “One day, yes, maybe, because I identify so much with the culture, the people, the climate, not in São Paulo… (which is cold). And in Rio, there’s only one (club I’d like to play for), in Rio, there’s only one…
“But I really liked Corinthians. The people there were very kind to me, the facilities were excellent, because I’m training to return for the preseason. I even warned Milan not to create that friction.
“Corinthians, thank you very much, and we’re together, and you never know, you never know what the future holds. I’m already grateful for them opening the doors for me to train.”
“you know, these days, eight goals for a player… let’s say, a Milan player… you know how it is, right? People are starting to expect more; it has to be 10, 15 or more.”
“10 goals is a lot of goals.”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
He doesn’t have the mindset to be a star, and that comment shows it. This guy settles to be mediocre instead of fulfilling his potential
Leo doesn’t know what he is capable of and the biggest problem is that he might never understand that.