Rafael Leao admits he felt ‘couldn’t handle the pressure’ at Milan in his early years, but thanked the club for helping him through it and now feels that he is ‘a resource’ for them against Chelsea.
The Rossoneri are in London for the Champions League clash with Chelsea on Wednesday evening, so naturally that has stirred up the speculation from the summer that the Stamford Bridge side wanted to purchase Leao.
Meanwhile, he has spoken to the official UEFA Champions League show about his life and career building up to the Scudetto victory.
“I was destined to play football, I lived in a poor neighbourhood and it was not easy. If we believe in ourselves, we can go far.”
He left Sporting CP in controversial circumstances, terminating his contract unilaterally when the training ground was invaded by angry fans, for which he is still forced to pay the club a €20m reimbursement fee.
“I left Sporting at the age of 19 and stayed at Lille for just one season. When Milan called, I felt such joy. I was so happy, but also anxious, because from one moment to the next one of the biggest clubs in Europe wanted me.
“I couldn’t say no. But it’s not easy to join a club like that at the age of 19. I felt like I couldn’t handle the pressure, I couldn’t respond positively on the pitch.”
Leao did indeed struggle initially at San Siro, as while the potential was evident, he tended to make rash decisions and waste clear-cut scoring chances.
His position on the pitch also moved around, sometimes as a centre-forward, before finding his true niche on the left wing under the patient guidance of coach Stefano Pioli.
“I couldn’t lose this opportunity to prove what I could do and the club had no intention of selling me either. They believed in me.
“That show of faith helped me to grow and improve. Now I feel that I am a precious resource for the team and the club, so I can really help my teammates in matches.”
Well said Leao…”precious resource” = $$$