Rafael Leão (Part 2)

Leão's contributions continued to be pivotal for Milan's title charge. On 1 May, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 victory against Fiorentina, becoming the youngest Portuguese player to score at least 10 goals in a single Serie A campaign. Seven days later, his two assists to Sandro Tonali helped Milan come from behind to defeat Hellas Verona 3–1 away from home, allowing Milan to overtake rivals Inter at the top of the Serie A table. Rafael Leão's impact for AC Milan continued into the 2022–23 season with a series of standout performances.
He kicked off the season in style, scoring and providing an assist in a 2–0 home win against Bologna on 27 August. Just a week later, on 3 September, he celebrated his 100th Serie A appearance with a memorable performance, scoring a brace and providing an assist to Olivier Giroud in a thrilling 3–2 victory against crosstown rivals Inter in the Derby della Madonnina. His second goal in that match earned him the prestigious Serie A Goal of the Month award for September.


However, his season was not without its ups and downs. On 10 September, Leão received his first career red card after being booked twice for violent conduct during Milan's 2–1 win over Sampdoria, tarnishing an otherwise stellar start to the campaign.
Despite this setback, Leão continued to impress and received recognition for his performances. In October, he was nominated for the 2022 Ballon d'Or and ranked 14th in the voting polls, the highest among Portuguese players. He was also named Serie A Player of the Month for his outstanding contributions.


Leão delivered another standout performance, scoring a brace in a stunning 4–0 away victory over league leaders Napoli, marking their biggest defeat since the 2007–08 season. He further showcased his skill and influence by providing an assist to Olivier Giroud in a crucial 1–1 away draw against Napoli in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg, securing Milan's progress to the semi-finals for the first time since the 2006–07 season.
Despite an injury setback that saw him miss the first leg of the Champions League semi-final against Inter, Leão returned for the second leg, although Milan suffered a 1–0 defeat, ending their hopes of reaching the final.


Off the pitch, Leão committed his future to AC Milan by extending his contract until 2028, with a reported annual income of €5 to €7 million per season, along with various bonuses and a release clause of €175 million. Additionally, AC Milan reached agreements with Lille and Sporting CP regarding financial compensation for the termination of Leão's previous contract, further solidifying his long-term commitment to the club.
In the lead-up to the 2023–24 season, Rafael Leão was entrusted with the prestigious squad number 10 at AC Milan, following the departure of Brahim Díaz. This iconic shirt, previously worn by legendary figures such as Clarence Seedorf, Gianni Rivera, Roberto Baggio, Rui Costa, and Ruud Gullit, symbolized a new chapter in Leão's career.


Leão wasted no time in making his mark with the number 10 jersey, scoring a spectacular acrobatic bicycle kick in Milan's 2–1 home league victory over Roma on 1 September. This stunning goal showcased his athleticism and technical prowess, earning praise from fans and pundits alike. Further demonstrating his leadership qualities, Leão was handed the captain's armband for the first time in his career on 23 September, as Milan secured a narrow 1–0 win over Hellas Verona at home. His goal in that match proved decisive, highlighting his ability to deliver in crucial moments.
However, Leão faced criticism for his performances at times, particularly following Milan's goalless draw against Newcastle United in the Champions League group stage. Despite this, he bounced back emphatically in November, scoring another remarkable bicycle kick goal in Milan's 2–1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on matchday four of the Champions League group stage.


This goal not only showcased Leão's technical skill but also played a pivotal role in Milan's qualification for the Europa League knock-out round play-offs, after finishing third in their group. Unfortunately, Leão was sidelined for Milan's last group stage matches due to a hamstring injury, but his contributions throughout the season demonstrated his importance to the team's success. Rafael Leão's journey with the Portuguese national youth teams showcases his talent and contribution to his country's success on the international stage.
In the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, Leão played a significant role for Portugal, featuring in five out of six matches.


Although he didn't play in the semifinals against the Netherlands, he contributed to Portugal's triumph in the final against Spain, coming on as a substitute in extra time as Portugal clinched the title in a thrilling penalty shootout. Continuing his progression, Leão participated in the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, where Portugal finished as runners-up, narrowly losing to England in the final.
At the 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, Leão represented Portugal and scored a crucial goal in a draw against South Africa. Despite his efforts, Portugal's campaign ended in the group stage.


Leão's talent didn't go unnoticed, and he earned his first cap for the Portugal under-21 side at just 18 years old. He made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal for the under-21s in a victory against Belarus in the 2021 European Championship qualification campaign.
In March 2021, Leão played a key role in Portugal's journey to the final of the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where they finished as runners-up after a narrow defeat to Germany in the final. Throughout his time with the youth teams, Leão demonstrated his potential and contributed to Portugal's success on the international stage.


Rafael Leão's journey with the Portuguese national team has been marked by significant milestones and contributions. In October 2021, Leão received his first call-up to the senior national team, stepping in as a replacement for the injured Rafa Silva. Just four days later, he made his international debut in a friendly match against Qatar, showcasing his talent by providing an assist for André Silva's goal.
The following year, Leão's impressive performances earned him a spot in Portugal's preliminary squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He was later named in the final 26-man squad for the tournament, representing his country on the world stage. During the World Cup, Leão scored his first international goal in Portugal's group stage victory against Ghana, making a significant contribution to the team's success. He continued to shine in the knockout stages, scoring another goal in Portugal's emphatic win over Switzerland in the round of 16.


Despite Portugal's elimination in the quarter-finals against Morocco, Leão's performances showcased his potential and marked him as a valuable asset for the national team in future competitions. With his skill, versatility, and goal-scoring ability, Leão has established himself as an important member of the Portuguese squad, poised to make further contributions to the team's success in international football.

References

1.  "Sporting não venceu o clássico, mas Rafael Leão fez história" [Sporting did not win classic, but Rafael Leão made history] (in Portuguese). SAPO. 3 March 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
2. ^ Rico, Carolina (14 June 2018). "Rafael Leão rescinde contrato com o Sporting. É o nono" [Rafael Leão terminates contract with Sporting. Going nine] (in Portuguese). TSF. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
3. ^ ""Andava comigo na escola." Rafael Leão identifica agressor de Alcochete "pelos olhos"". TSF Rádio Notícias (in European Portuguese). 5 February 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
4. a b "Rafael Leao: The Lille forward dubbed the 'Portuguese Mbappe'". BBC Sport. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 8 February 2019.
5. ^ "Jogadores e treinadores do Sporting espancados em Alcochete". www.cmjornal.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 26 March 2023.
6. ^ "Rafael Leão au LOSC" [Rafael Leão to LOSC] (Press release) (in French). Lille OSC. 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
7. ^ "le Sporting Portugal déclare la guerre au Losc" [Sporting Portugal declares war on Losc] (in French). Le Point. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
8. ^ "Rafael Leão voudrait déjà résilier avec le LOSC!" [Rafael Leão would already like to terminate with LOSC!] (in French). Foot Mercato. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
9. ^ "Rafael Leão rescinde com o Lille" [Rafael Leão terminates his contract with Lille] (in Portuguese). Público. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
10. ^ "Official - DNCG validates the 4 LOSC contracts, including Rafael Leão". Madeinfoot.com (in French). Made in Foot. 4 September 2018. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
11. ^ "Lille against Marseille". EuroSport. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.