More intriguing details about Rafael Leao’s tenure at AC Milan are still being shared, despite the publication of his autobiography “Smile” yesterday.
Rafael Leao moved from Lille to Milan in the summer of 2019, and since then, he has blossomed into one of the world’s top wingers, a player whose speed, agility, and creative eye can change any game.
As previously said, Leao’s book was published yesterday. In the chapter titled “Milan,” the Portuguese author discussed his experience with the Rossoneri and briefly touched on what it’s like to collaborate with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“I have always accepted the responsibility that comes with growing up quickly, but that doesn’t mean that when you’re younger you don’t need pillars that you can recognize amid confusion. For me and the entire group, that was Ibrahimovic, who first helped us qualify for the Champions League before winning the Scudetto,” he said (via MilanNews).
“The first thing that changed in the changing room was a reminder that we were not, as of yet, responsible for Milan’s incredible history. I realized that being a Milan player wasn’t enough the day he arrived in January 2020; instead, I had to demonstrate my worth on the pitch.
His second assistance was psychological rather than technical. On the pitch, Ibra was the teammate who constantly attempted to prove to me that I was capable of doing more, more, more, and more.
“Zlatan is incredibly dedicated; he never wanted me to give up; I had to keep doing what I was doing, and he always provided me with an example to follow.
“This mindset encouraged me to keep going, and it gave me the willpower to follow a path I had just started and was beginning to yield results.”
Leao continued by talking about the two head coaches he has previously worked under. Marco Giampaolo was fired after just a few games after taking over in the summer of 2019.
“I had two coaches at Milan during my career, or maybe just one. Mister Giampaolo and I had virtually no contact at all; we never spoke to one another. I had just moved to Milan, and for a football player like me who is nineteen, getting used to the new environment was the first hurdle.
“At first, I needed some familiar vocabulary in the locker room, so André Silva, the only Portuguese player on the team, helped me a little bit with the language. However, he was sold after a month, so I formed bonds with other new players like Ismael Bennacer, who signed three days after me and whom I still refer to as my brother to this day.
“I had goals from the beginning, but it wasn’t easy. The coach didn’t know how to put me on the pitch, and we had a chilly relationship that consisted of only polite pleasantries during practice.
“The communication breakdown compounded the team’s on-field problems. We performed, I performed horribly, and the coach was fired after a few games. After just seven games, everything was altered once more.
The former Lille player then discusses Stefano Pioli’s appointment as the new manager. Although there was undoubtedly some backlash from the Milan supporters when he took Giampaolo’s post, he went on to guide Milan to both a Scudetto and a Champions League semi-final.
I had to attempt to find a way to talk to Mr. Pioli and find a space because I had a new coach and new techniques. We weren’t on the same page with Pioli at first. I recall being irritated by something he said in a news conference, something I believe he should have discussed in front of the players first.
He had the skill to figure out how to play the best position for me and the team, but it took some time for us to get along. The closer we became the more he placed me in a position where I could make a difference.
The key was to establish a direct and unambiguous communication channel. Discussions are commonplace in changing rooms, so it makes sense. And how the worst decision you can make in life, especially in families, is frequently to choose not to communicate with one another.
“Talking clarifies everything; sometimes, of course, things don’t turn out the way you had hoped, but it’s better to know the truth even if it hurts you than to tell a lie.”