Milan winger Rafael Leao believes new coach Sergio Conceicao will “push me and will help me reach a higher level.” The Portuguese international gave a lengthy interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, where he touched on being a Milan fan before he arrived at the club, his relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and how he deals with critics:
“When I arrived here, I was already a bit of a Milan fan, the team where many important players I admired as a child had played. I immediately understood the passion of the fans and what it meant to wear this shirt, which has a special weight. I thought I wanted to stay here for years and win trophies. Now I just have to thank those who brought me to Milan, who helped me improve and grow as a player and as a person every day.”
So, you’re happy at Milan, for the present and future…
“Yes, I hope so.”
Scudetto and Italian Supercoppa: in red and black, you’ve won as much as Ibra. Will you rub it in?
He laughs, “Never. Zlatan is too important a person, he puts it in my head that I have to raise my level on every occasion to try to win always. He has a career rich in success and I can’t compare myself to him: he’s an example. For me and for others. He knows what it takes to win and tries to transmit it to each of us.”
Meanwhile, Conceiçao has called you a “phenomenon” and added that you will become “one of the strongest in the world”. Did you like his words?
“My goal is to be at the top and get closer to the strongest. If the coach is good, he can help me, the rest depends on me. I try to put my characteristics at the service of the team. Conceiçao doesn’t always joke, but he knows how to push me and will help me reach a higher level. We’re betting strongly on him. I’m ready to listen and follow his ideas which are good, given that he arrived and after a few days we won a trophy. Now we have to think game by game and preserve the positive energy we felt in Arabia. We must continue like this.”
It seems like a clean break from Fonseca’s management. What didn’t work with him?
“I have nothing to say about our coach-player relationship, even if at the beginning we had to resolve a couple of situations – and I don’t say problems, but situations. He tried to do his job, to apply his ideas and I believe there’s always something to learn. But it didn’t work and whether he should stay or not, I certainly don’t decide. But I can say that everyone tried to give their best and I wish Fonseca all the best.”
Even though he left you on the bench three times in a row in Serie A? Were you very angry or did not playing from the first minute charge you up?
“A bit of both. I think at least an explanation for three benches in a row can be given, but sometimes coaches do this… It was the first time it happened to me at Milan and I also learned. If it happens again, and I hope not because I always want to be on the field, I’ll be more aware of what I need to do, which is to stay focused, not get down or lose confidence in myself, which is the most important thing to perform at our best in our work. In any case, the past is past and I look to the future with confidence.”
On Monday in Riyadh, we saw a Ballon d’Or-worthy Leao. Like at the Bernabeu against Real and at the end of the 2021-22 season, when you almost single-handedly won the last six games. Why isn’t Leao always like this? Are those who call you too inconsistent right?
“You can’t always play at your best: there are also ‘normal’ games or games where you manage to do little. In recent years I’ve understood that football has changed: statistics count a lot and people look at the numbers of goals and assists, more than performances. I’m trying to become more ruthless in front of goal to add an extra quality and be at the level of the top players.”
Do you dream of the Ballon d’Or?
“Obviously, but for me the most important thing is to win a big trophy with the team. The Ballon d’Or is a consequence of the results with your club. That’s why my first ambition is to win the Champions League. And to succeed, I know I have to make a difference in every match, to be important for Milan.”
By the way, who would you have given the 2024 Ballon d’Or to?
“To Vinicius.”
Meanwhile, tomorrow the chase in Serie A restarts. Ready for the climb to the Champions League zone?
“When we returned, the coach spoke to us and told us to keep our feet on the ground. We think game by game, but personally I felt a new spark. Conceiçao has already shown that he knows how to do great things: in his career he has won many trophies and he has already done it with us too. He brought his experience and now we want to continue winning as we should do here at Milan. We’ve got back to work with our heads down because there’s a fight to get into the top four.”
Now we always need the real Milan, without the ups and downs of the past?
“Exactly.”
Tomorrow meanwhile you’ll show the Supercoppa to the fans and it will be an evening to remember.
“Every time I enter San Siro with this shirt it’s a joy and I only think about winning something big, taking the team forward and living other beautiful moments to remember. When you succeed… you get the desire to win again all together and as soon as possible.”
Is lifting the Champions League currently an out-of-reach goal?
“In Europe we have the ambition to go as far as possible, but we will always need the real Milan. The Champions League is the most beautiful cup there is in football and for us from now on they will all be finals. Yes, we can dream of winning something important too. Nothing is impossible.”
Even the Supercoppa seemed difficult given how things had gone, and yet it arrived. A dedication from you?
“To my family who helped me get back up and to my teammates who support me every day. But also to Ibra and the coach who care about me and want me to be better in everything.”
And to think that you seemed destined to be a mere spectator in Riyadh, instead…
“Honestly, I thought I could play the final, while I knew that taking the field against Juve would have been a big risk. Mentally, the medical staff, the coach and his collaborators put me in the ideal conditions to do a good job. They transmitted energy and the right mentality to me, telling me that we wouldn’t return before Monday (the day of the final). They were good and I thank the doctors and physiotherapists for what they did. This is also why I say it was a victory for everyone.”
Let’s close with the harshest criticism and the most beautiful compliment you received this season.
“We young footballers try not to listen to criticism, but sometimes it reaches you anyway. I never want to let it condition me. The most beautiful compliments, on the other hand, are those from the team, the coach, the Milan executives and my family.”
And after Monday, many came to you.
“Yes, and I liked it…”
