Zlatan Ibrahimovic urges Rafael Leao to stay at AC Milan where he has the ‘confidence, space, freedom’ to become ‘really scary’ with Chelsea strong suitors for the Portuguese starlet’s services
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has called for AC Milan team-mate Rafael Leao to remain at the Italian side, where he believes the 23-year-old has the space to grow into a top prospect, amid interest from overseas.
The Swedish striker urged Leao to remain at the San Siro, citing his already-startling growth as a prime reason why he should continue his development at the Serie A champions for the foreseeable future.
Leao won the league title with I Rossoneri in 2021-22, scoring 11 goals and providing 10 assists in 34 games, and starred for Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar with two goals from the bench.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic urged Rafael Leao to remain at AC Milan and continue his development
The ex-Sporting and Lille forward is yet to return to the Italian side after his exploits in Qatar, and was therefore unavailable for his side’s role in the mid-season friendly tournament, the Dubai Super Cup.
‘Of course, Milan is the right environment for him,’ Ibrahimovic told Sky Sports in Italy according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
‘Just look at his growth. When he arrived, he was far from the decisive player he is today. Here he is very important for us, elsewhere would he be as important? He would have to start from scratch, you can’t be sure he would be ready right away.
‘At Milan he has confidence, space and freedom, which is not a given at another club, it’s up to you.
Leao scored 11 and assisted 10 goals as AC Milan ended their 11-season wait for a Scudetto
‘Besides, you can see that he is happy here, by now he is laughing even before scoring. He is the young man who has grown the most.’
But it is not just Leao that has found AC Milan a suitable location to learn his trade at the highest level, with Ibrahimovic pointing to a growing number of stars to find their feet at the San Siro.
After an 11-year Serie A drought, Milan lifted the Scudetto at the end of last season on the back of a side made up of experienced elite players such as Ibrahimovic, alongside talented young stars.
Of all the young talent currently…