Rafael Leão has briefly spoken about his future in a Portugal presser.
Leão was the best player in Serie A this season as he guided Milan to their first Scudetto in 11 years, finishing the season in double figures in goals and assists.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Paolo Maldini said Rafa is considered ‘unsellable’, but Milan may find themselves in a difficult position once again when it comes to renewal as Leão’s deal expires in 2 years and talks with his agent Jorge Mendes have not yet resulted in an agreement, with the demands reportedly being €7m per season.
“Yes, I’m at Milan, I have 2 more years on my contract. I’m unsellable? I am happy with these wordsm,” the 22-year-old said in a Portugal press conference today, as reported by A Bola. “I feel at home, but right now my focus is the Seleção.”
You have, nevertheless, been linked with Real Madrid. How did you get here with so much news about you?
“I am very happy but my feet are firmly on the ground. It’s a pride to work with players with a lot of experience. As for my evolution, I left Sporting young and went to Lille. People may not know it, but Ligue 1 is a strong league and I evolved. Then an important step at Milan. Two years didn’t go like I wanted but now I’m more mature and confident, the season went liked I wanted. I hope to achieve great things in the future.”
What do you want for the future?
“To be a reference in my club and in the national team… the highest thing is, for example, winning a World Cup.”
You arrive at your best moment – you are Champion with Milan and the best in Serie A, but you return to Estádio José Alvalade in the middle of a legal dispute with Sporting. How does it feel?
“I’m always proud to come to the Seleção and play. Whether it’s at Alvalade or at another stadium, I am representing the Seleção; there’s going to be a great atmosphere, the Portuguese are eager to watch us, maybe, lift another trophy.”
First comes Spain, will it be the most complicated game?
“We know Spain is a great team, but so are we and we are going to face them head on. There are no easy games and we intend to win. They are very strong in possession and we’ll exploit their weaknesses. What we have been doing is preparing well for the game because going in with a win is important.”
Do you now have more arguments to be a starter?
“What you do at the club helps to be called-up but it’s up to the coach to decide who he puts in the game.”
You are a mobile player in attack, can this be an advantage in the national team?
“Yes, I feel more comfortable as a left-winger, but I’ve already been a center forward and a right winger, I’ll give my all wherever I’m placed.”
Honestly, this Eliot should resolve the transfer of ownership issue quickly. Leao agent is demanding 7million. We should rap up this renewal before Leao demand goes up to 2 digit. I am not happy with ally this delay.
We need a different owner or I am afraid Maldini would not stay. Then the domino effect.
I’m really having second thoughts about this RedBird. I mean what can they offer? What is their added value in Liverpool as minority shareholder? Sure they will help expand the brand, giving them media exposure on new markets, maybe increase merchandising. But do they have enough funds to support the club until they become selfsufficient? All this won’t bring enough money to coffers, we need new stadium asap. Only then this club will hopefully earn enough to be selfsufficient and generate enough to susutain a budget. Also, I don’t really trust Elliott as they sold Lille to a shady corporation… Read more »
Nope. We are completely in the blind with this owner. We don’t even know whats the deal here.
We should plan ahead for a season without Leao. Real seems to be really close and we dont have a say if RM activates Leao’s release clause. Hence, Lang is a perfect transfer. If Leao leaves, we will have Lang to cover our LW. Next season will be true test of tactics for Pioli specially when the individual brilliance of Leao wont be there to win us games anymore. I for one, despite popular opinion, know for a fact that Pioli has zero tactical prowess when attacking. In defensive phase Pioli has done a phenomenal job. We are very solid… Read more »
Calm down. Milan play progressive football. If you don’t understand or like it then go watch smth else. I love how Milan play. This is how football should be played.
Lets put some sense into your simple head. Leao directly contributed to over 30+ points.. seven of leao’s goals and three assists have directly won matches for Milan.. that means Without Leao, we wouldn’t even be in top 4. Thats what I am talking about. No other top team is so overly dependent on ONE player. Not even Messi era barca was that dependent on Messi. That means a severe weakness in ‘ATTACKING’ tactics. Too hard for you to understand? lol