Rafael Leao is a Portuguese professional football player who currently plays as a forward for Serie A club AC Milan and the Portuguese national team. He was born on June 10, 1999, in Almada, Portugal.
Leao started his youth career at Sporting CP in Lisbon, Portugal, at the age of nine. In the 2017-2018 season, he made five appearances for Sporting CP, scoring two goals. However, his time at the club was cut short due to a controversial incident in which a group of fans attacked him and several other players at the team's training ground. This led to him terminating his contract with the club in June 2018.
After leaving Sporting CP, Leao signed for Lille OSC in France. In his debut season, he made 26 appearances in Ligue 1, scoring eight goals and providing two assists. He helped Lille finish second in the league and qualify for the UEFA Champions League.
Leao's performances in his debut season in France attracted interest from some of Europe's top clubs, and in August 2019, he signed for AC Milan in Italy on a five-year deal for a reported fee of €35 million plus a 20% sell-on clause. Over the course of his Milan career, the forward has helped them reach the Champions League for the first time since 2014 and led them to their first Serie A title since 2011.
Leao has represented Portugal at various youth levels and made his debut for the senior team in October 2021. He has since made 18 appearances for Portugal, scoring three goals, including two at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Leao is known for his pace, dribbling skills, and finishing ability. He is also versatile and can play as a centre-forward or on the wing. His ability to play in multiple positions makes him a valuable asset for any team. Overall, Leao is a talented forward with the potential to become one of Europe's top players and brings back memories of players such as former AC Milan winger Ronaldinho with his flair and dribbling skills.
Here are 13 fun facts about Leao you need to know...!