Leao on Milan commitment, Maignan and combating racism

Rafael Leao insists he ‘by no means’ considered leaving Milan, whereas supporting Mike Maignan is necessary, however he fears ‘racism won’t ever be fully eradicated.’

The Portugal worldwide is releasing his ebook subsequent month and sat down with Che Tempo Che Fa to debate his life and profession to date.

“I prefer to smile and reply to folks with optimism, that’s how I method life,” stated Leao. “It’s my approach of claiming I don’t want to make use of phrases, I can smile.

“Maybe I may’ve waited a bit longer earlier than writing a ebook, however I needed folks to get to understand how I’m in personal too, so they might perceive who I actually am.”

He spent hours taking part in soccer within the streets in Portugal, though admitting generally the opposite children would exclude him for being too good.

His profession actually took off after the switch from Lille to Milan in the summertime of 2019, the place he set to work with icons like Maldini and Ibrahimovic.

“Maldini actually helped me in the beginning and I miss him. He informed me off a number of occasions too, as he ought to, and has a robust persona.

“As for Zlatan, he’s unbelievable and we’re actually completely satisfied to nonetheless have him right here with us, as a result of he is a good motivator.”

There have been so many reviews, and extra of them immediately, suggesting that Leao may depart Milan for Chelsea, PSG and even Newcastle United.

“I by no means considered leaving Milan. This membership actually helped me to develop up, to mature. I had difficulties in the beginning, it’s not prefer it appears on tv.”

Milan received the Scudetto within the 2021-22 marketing campaign, with Leao named Serie A Participant of the Yr, then reached the Champions League semi-finals the subsequent time period.

“I did properly within the Champions League and wish to do much more with Milan. As for the Scudetto, it was so emotional, I’ll always remember that day. We felt so certain that we’d win it, I keep in mind bursting into tears below the Curva Sud together with my dad and mom.”

This season just isn’t going fairly so properly, coming off a 2-2 draw with Bologna the place each Olivier Giroud and Theo Hernandez missed penalties.

“I did say I would take the subsequent penalty, however Giroud has at all times been a specialist, so he’ll do properly subsequent time.”

Milan teammates needed to rally spherical Mike Maignan when he threatened to stroll off as a consequence of repeated racist abuse from a bunch of Udinese followers on the Bluenergy Stadium.

“He was irritated and he didn’t wish to play, as it’s not the primary time this has occurred, however we stayed by his facet. It’s unhappy for him and all black gamers, we now have to struggle racism every single day and we thank Milan for all they did.

“We should struggle. Sadly I doubt racism will ever be fully eradicated, however we nonetheless should struggle.”

Milan stopped play within the Bologna sport at San Siro on the 16^th minute – as Maignan wears the Quantity 16 jersey – to point out a quote from Martin Luther King.

“Darkness can’t drive out darkness, solely mild can try this.”

“Maignan period molto nervoso, non voleva giocare perchè non period la prima volta che succedeva..Noi della squadra stavamo con lui. Io personalmente sono dispiaciuto per davvero tutti i giocatori neri. E’ una cosa che dobbiamo combattere”@RafaeLeao7 a #CTCF sull’episodio di… pic.twitter.com/ZqXFgvsz1m

— Che Tempo Che Fa (@chetempochefa) January 28, 2024