Leão: “I have 2 more years on my deal, I am happy with Maldini’s words, right now my focus is the Seleção” | OneFootball

Rafael Leão during Milan-Atalanta at Stadio San Siro on May 15, 2022. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Rafael Leão has briefly spoken about his future in a Portugal presser.

Leão was the best player in Serie A this season as he guided Milan to their first Scudetto in 11 years, finishing the season in double figures in goals and assists.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Paolo Maldini said Rafa is considered ‘unsellable’, but Milan may find themselves in a difficult position once again when it comes to renewal as Leão’s deal expires in 2 years and talks with his agent Jorge Mendes have not yet resulted in an agreement, with the demands reportedly being €7m per season.

“Yes, I’m at Milan, I have 2 more years on my contract. I’m unsellable? I am happy with these wordsm,” the 22-year-old said in a Portugal press conference today, as reported by A Bola. “I feel at home, but right now my focus is the Seleção.”

You have, nevertheless, been linked with Real Madrid. How did you get here with so much news about you? “I am very happy but my feet are firmly on the ground. It’s a pride to work with players with a lot of experience. As for my evolution, I left Sporting young and went to Lille. People may not know it, but Ligue 1 is a strong league and I evolved. Then an important step at Milan. Two years didn’t go like I wanted but now I’m more mature and confident, the season went liked I wanted. I hope to achieve great things in the future.”

Rafael Leão celebrating during Sassuolo-Milan at Mapei Stadium – Città del Tricolore on May 22, 2022. (@acmilan.com)

What do you want for the future? “To be a reference in my club and in the national team… the highest thing is, for example, winning a World Cup.”

You arrive at your best moment – you are Champion with Milan and the best in Serie A, but you return to Estádio José Alvalade in the middle of a legal dispute with Sporting. How does it feel? “I’m always proud to come to the Seleção and play. Whether it’s at Alvalade or at another stadium, I am representing the Seleção; there’s going to be a great atmosphere, the Portuguese are eager to watch us, maybe, lift another trophy.”

First comes Spain, will it be the most complicated game? “We know Spain is a great team, but so are we and we are going to face them head on. There are no easy games and we intend to win. They are very strong in possession and we’ll exploit their weaknesses. What we have been doing is preparing well for the game because going in with a win is important.”

Rafael Leão celebrating the Scudetto at Casa Milan on May 23, 2022. (@acmilan.com)

Do you now have more arguments to be a starter? “What you do at the club helps to be called-up but it’s up to the coach to decide who he puts in the game.”

You are a mobile player in attack, can this be an advantage in the national team? “Yes, I feel more comfortable as a left-winger, but I’ve already been a center forward and a right winger, I’ll give my all wherever I’m placed.”