Zlatan Ibrahimović, now serving as a senior advisor at AC Milan, continues to be one of the most influential voices around the club. Known for his charisma and candid insights, the former striker recently shared his thoughts on Rafael Leão, the Portuguese forward who has become one of Milan’s brightest stars in recent years. During an interview, Ibrahimović was asked what he believed Leão was missing to become an even better player. Rather than listing weaknesses, the Swedish legend turned the question on its head. His response was both insightful and characteristic of his confidence and belief in excellence.
“What’s Leão missing?” he said with a smile. “A lot of people talk about him. But if they didn’t, he wouldn’t be one of the best. People always talk about the best. When you are that good, everyone has an opinion. It means you matter.” He went on to recall Milan’s incredible 2021–2022 Scudetto-winning season, when Leão emerged as the driving force behind the club’s return to glory after more than a decade. “If we look back at the Scudetto,” Ibrahimović continued, “I’ll say he won it single-handedly. He made the difference. The team was secondary.”
Rafael Leão’s journey from a promising teenager to Milan’s attacking leader is one of modern football’s most remarkable success stories. Signed from Lille in 2019, Leão took time to adapt to the demands of Serie A. His raw pace, flair, and unpredictability were obvious from the beginning, but consistency was something he had to develop.
Over time, and with the mentorship of players like Ibrahimović, Leão matured into a complete forward. Under coach Stefano Pioli, he found his ideal role on the left wing, where his ability to accelerate past defenders, create space, and finish clinically turned him into one of the league’s most feared players.
The 2021–22 season was the turning point. Milan, a team rebuilt from the ashes of mediocrity, found its rhythm, and Leão became the beating heart of that revolution. His goals, assists, and creative influence were vital in pushing Milan past fierce rivals like Inter and Napoli. By the end of the campaign, his brilliance earned him the title of Serie A Most Valuable Player, a testament to how instrumental he had been. Ibrahimović, who shared the dressing room with Leão during that campaign, witnessed firsthand how the young Portuguese star evolved under pressure. “He was fearless,” Zlatan said in previous interviews. “When the moment came, he wanted the ball. That’s what defines a great player — not talent alone, but courage.”
Leão’s ability to rise to big occasions has since become his signature. Whether in the Champions League or crucial Serie A clashes, his blend of technique, strength, and composure makes him one of Europe’s most exciting attacking talents.Ibrahimović’s praise for Leão is not simply about ability — it’s about mindset. Throughout his career, Zlatan has been vocal about the importance of mentality in achieving greatness. For him, football is as much about psychology as it is about talent. “When you play for Milan,” Ibrahimović often says, “you don’t just wear a shirt — you carry history.” This belief in mental toughness and self-belief has been central to his legacy, and it’s something he has tried to instill in younger players like Leão.
For AC Milan, Rafael Leão represents both the present and the future. His contract renewal until 2028 signaled the club’s intent to build around him as a cornerstone. At just 25, he already combines youthful dynamism with the maturity of a seasoned professional, capable of leading by example in crucial moments. Leão’s importance extends beyond the pitch. His personality — calm, charismatic, and humble — has made him a beloved figure among Milan supporters. He embodies the modern footballer: confident but grounded, flashy yet focused. His creative style and joyful approach to the game reflect the same spirit that once made icons like Ronaldinho and Kaká fan favorites at San Siro.
Ibrahimović’s statement that Leão “won the Scudetto alone” may sound exaggerated, but it underscores how influential he was — and still is — in Milan’s ambitions. Every great team needs a player capable of deciding games on their own, and for Milan, Leão is that player. As Milan continue their pursuit of domestic and European success, Leão’s evolution into a global superstar seems inevitable. His combination of raw athleticism, artistry, and intelligence on the ball makes him one of the few players capable of changing the outcome of a match with a single action — a burst of speed, a dribble past three defenders, or a curling strike into the top corner.
