Rafael Leao reacts to criticism with Ibrahimovic interview

Milan star Rafael Leao has replied to his critics without a word but by sharing an interview with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Milan legend, now among the video’s management, said, ‘You are not at the top if you are not criticized.’

Leao, who has established himself as one of the best players in the Milan set, scored a goal in Milan’s 6-1 Coppa Italia win over Sassuolo on Tuesday, which secured the Rossoneri a last-eight ticket.

This season, the Portuguese winger has had highs and lows. His form dipped, forcing Paulo Fonseca to start him from the bench in some key games.

Some fans and Italian media also criticized Leao due to his current form. The Portuguese winger answered his detractors in one of his latest Instagram stories with the Ibrahimovic clip from an interview with Sport Mediaset.

“It’s normal [to be criticized] because you are not at the top if you are not criticized. I’ve been criticized for 25 years because I am the No.1, and I am accustomed to it. It’s like throwing gasoline on fire. When you joke with fire, you get burned,” the former Sweden striker, who finally hung his booth at the end of the 2023-24 campaign aged 41, said.

He returned to the club last year in a management role as he was the ‘Operating Partner’ and ‘Senior Advisor’ to RedBird and Milan owner Gerry Cardinale.

In a recent interview, Ibrahimovic praised Leao, saying that the Portuguese winger is yet to realize how good he is.

Leao had shown his talent with the ball at his feet. Apart from being a big unit, he’s one of the fastest sprinters in the game. 

Although he’s a terrifying prospect for any defender, he sometimes drifts in and out of games.

Leao has scored five goals and provided five assists in 18 appearances for the Diavolo across all competitions this season.