Rafael Leao has spoken a bit more about life away from the football field and his music career during an interview with AC Milan’s official media channel.
Leao has transcended the world of football to become an all-round entertainment figure, having launched an album under his artist name ‘WAY45’ as well as releasing his autobiography ‘Smile’ last week.
The Portuguese winger spoke to Milan TV and told his story, covering his origins, music and football, with his comments relayed below.
What does music mean to you?
“For me, music means love, finding myself. I’m an introvert, I don’t talk much but I love writing. I can’t express my feelings in words. so I write them. It’s a way to expose problems both in football and in everyday life.”
His stage name is WAY45?
“45 is the postal code of the neighbourhood where I grew up and like the English word. It means never forgetting. always remember your roots wherever you go.”
Do you try to be a role model?
“I always try to convey my experience because everything is in motivation. On the pitch I try to motivate the kids who see me as an example.
“I encourage them to never stop and to dream of becoming a footballer. What I try to convey with music is the same. People only know Rafael Leao, the player, they don’t know the person.”
What do you hope to be as a musician?
“The artist WAY45 represents Leao as a person not as a footballer. A person who talks about his feelings, life lessons, his story and mostly brings them together. I keep the two lives separate. When I make music I dedicate myself to music, when I play football I only think about that.”
Music sucks so much these days. You can just talk into the mic and sound alike everyone else out there. So sad. Well Rafa, you do you, enjoy what you like bc life is short. Even if I think it sucks.
an introvert would never have been a footballer & a rapper not to mention be into fashion
Spot on hahaha. My man nailed it hard in Leao’s face.