Rafael Leão
Rafael Leão is a professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Serie A club AC Milan and the Portugal national team. Known for his exceptional dribbling, speed, and finishing abilities, Leão is regarded as one of the world’s top forwards and wingers. He began his career at Sporting CP, making his first-team debut in 2018 and winning the Taça da Liga in the 2017–18 season. After terminating his contract with Sporting CP due to an incident within the club, Leão joined Ligue 1 side Lille on a free transfer. In 2019, he signed with AC Milan for a reported fee of €35 million. His contributions in the 2021–22 season were pivotal in ending Milan’s 11-year league title drought, earning him the Serie A Most Valuable Player award and a place on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or.
Leão’s career has been marked by significant achievements both at the club and international levels. With Sporting CP, he made a notable impact in the Primeira Liga, becoming the club’s youngest-ever scorer against Porto. His move to Lille saw him score eight goals in 26 competitive games, playing a key role in the team’s runner-up finish in the 2018–19 Ligue 1 season. At AC Milan, Leão’s performances have been instrumental in the club’s success, including scoring the fastest goal in Serie A history, just six seconds into a match against Sassuolo.
Leão’s collaborations with other players have been a cornerstone of his career. At Lille, he played alongside compatriots José Fonte, Rui Fonte, Edgar Ié, and Xeka, contributing to the team’s success. His move to AC Milan saw him join forces with players like Zlatan Ibrahimović and Franck Kessié.
In addition to his club career, Leão has represented Portugal at various youth levels, including being part of the under-17 team that won the 2016 European Championship. He made his senior international debut in 2021,.