Milan star Rafael Leao reveals Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped him ‘mentally’ before his contract extension with the Rossoneri and thanks Stefano Pioli again: ‘He’s made me become the player I am today.’
The Portuguese star extended his contract with the Serie A giants earlier this week, signing a new deal until June 2028.
“I was anxious about solving it, but Milan knew what I wanted,” Leao told DAZN.
“We only needed to reach an agreement. It took a while but ended well, for me, the fans and the club. I am calmer and want to enjoy this.”
The Rossoneri meet Hellas Verona in the last game of the season on Sunday. They have already secured a top-four finish while the Gialloblu are desperate for points in the race for survival. They are level on 31 points with Spezia who meet Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli said on Saturday that Leao has gone to his office ‘178 times’ over the last few years.
“Maybe more,” said Leao smiling.
“As I always said, he [Pioli] has been very important to me. He’s made me become the player I am today. More mature and aware. I will thank him forever.”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is injured and is not even on the bench tonight, but he will bid farewell to the Rossoneri after the final whistle. His contract at the Stadio Meazza runs out in June, but the 41-year-old is not planning to retire.
What has he taught Leao over the last few years?
“Especially mentally, never give up,” said Leao.
“Even when I scored goals in the first half, he’d come to me saying: ‘Rafa you need to do more, you have to score two or three.’ Technically, he knew what I could do. He was important mentally. He’s helped me a lot also off the pitch.”