Facts About Rafael Leao
- He is a professional football player from Portugal.
- He is an attacking player for AC Milan in Serie A.
- He is a regular on the Portugal national squad as well.
- Rafael Alexandre da Conceicao Leao is his full name.
- He was born on June 10, 1999, in Almada, Portugal.
- Antonio Leao is his father.
- His siblings are Paulo Leao, Bianca Leao, and Nadia Leao.
- He is a devout Christian.
- His wealth is estimated at $135,000,000.
Who is Rafael Leao?
Rafael Leao is a professional footballer from Portugal. He plays as a forward for the Serie A team AC Milan and the Portugal national team. Rafal Alexandre da Conceicao Leao is his full name; he was born on June 10, 1999.
Rafael Leao made his debut with Sporting CP’s first squad in 2018 after progressing through the club’s youth system. He won the Taça da Liga in 2017–18 before voluntarily terminating his contract owing to a dispute inside the organization. Shortly after, he moved to Lille, where he joined the team on a free transfer. In 2019, he reportedly cost AC Milan €35 million to sign. In his third season with the team, 2021–2022, they won the Serie A, breaking an 11-year drought.
In addition to being on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, Rafael Leao was awarded the Most Valuable Player of Serie A. He was a part of the under-17 squad that won the European Championship in 2016. When he was younger, he played for Portugal on the national team. Rafael Leao debuted for Brazil’s senior national team in 2021.
Rafael Leao Early Life
Rafael Leao entered the world on June 10, 1999, in Almada, Portugal. Rafael Alexandre da Conceicao Leao is his full name. His dad is Antonio Leao, and his siblings are Paulo Leao, Bianca Leao, and Nadia Leao.
Rafael Leao Education
The educational background of Rafael Leao could not be determined at the time that this article was written.
Rafael Leao Career
Rafael Leao played with Amora for a while when he was younger, but then he joined Sporting CP’s youth program when he was nine. When he was only a junior in high school, he made his senior team debut on May 21, 2017, scoring as a second-half substitute in a 1-1 road game against Braga B. On February 11, 2018, Rafael Leao made his debut with the first team in the Primeira Liga, coming on as a substitute for Bryan Ruiz in the final 21 minutes of a 2-0 home win against Feirense.
On August 8, 2018, Rafael Leao moved for free to the French club Lille and signed a five-year contract. Later, Sporting CP complained to FIFA that Lille’s transfer of the player was “inappropriate” and demanded that Lille pay the player’s €45 million release clause. Rafael Leao requested a release from his contract with the club in early September 2018, citing the club’s financial difficulties. This request was denied by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP). The DNCG acknowledged Lille’s pending contracts, including his contract, after his representative persuaded him to remain at Lille.
He made his Serie A debut on August 25, 2019, as a substitute for Samu Castillejo in the 75th minute of a 1-0 defeat at Udinese. Rafael Leao played primarily as a striker for Lille during his tenure there, scoring eight goals in 26 games. He also shared time on the field with Portuguese teammates José Fonte, Rui Fonte, Edgar Ié, and Xeka as they finished second in a stellar 2018–19 Ligue 1 campaign. AC Milan and Rafael Leao agreed to a €35 million, five-year contract on August 1, 2019, with a 20% sell-on clause.
On July 7, 2020, after falling behind 2-0, Rafael Leao scored to assist Milan to come back and win 4-2 against league leaders Juventus. On September 29, 2019, Rafael Leao scored his first goal for the club as a late consolation in a 1-3 home defeat to Fiorentina. A March 19, 2020, payment of €16.5 million to Sporting CP for Rafael Leao’s unilateral breach of contract was ordered by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Rafael Leao was off to a great start by opening the season with a goal and an assist in a 2-0 home win over Bologna on August 27, 2022. In his 100th Serie A game, a 3-2 win over Inter in the Derby della Madonnina on September 3, 2022, he scored twice and set up Olivier Giroud’s goal. His second goal won September’s Serie A Goal of the Month award. Rafael Leao received his first career red card for violent behaviour in the second half of Milan’s 2-1 win over Sampdoria on September 10, 2022. He had already been cautioned twice before being sent off.
Rafael Leao scored a hat trick for the first time on November 25, 2022, when Portugal beat Ghana 3-2 in a group match. Leo scored the game-winning goal in Portugal’s 6-1 round-of-16 rout of Switzerland on December 6. Rafael Leao was included in Portugal’s preliminary 55-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in October 2022, and he was later included in the final 26-man roster for the tournament.
Rafael Leao is a technically adept and versatile player who can play on either wing. He is a dynamic forward who is tall and thin with a burst and pace to match. He was a natural centre forward and continues to be a potent force up top. With and without the ball, his moves stretch and unsettle defences. Rafael Leao is an excellent and prolific dribbler who can drive the ball from long range and beat defenders in one-on-one situations around the goal area by changing pace and direction.
Rafael Leao Parents
Antonio Leao is the father of Rafael Leao. The identity of his mother has not been disclosed.
Rafael Leao Siblings
Rafael Leao has three siblings: Paulo Leao, Bianca Leao, and Nadia Leao.
Rafael Leao Ethnicity
Rafael Leao’s family is from Angola.
Rafael Leao Religio
Rafael Leao is a devout Christian.
Rafael Leao Wife
Rafael Leao does not have a spouse.
Rafael Leao Children
Rafael Leao does not yet have any children of his own.
Rafael Leao Social Media
Rafael Leao can be followed on his various social media sites, such as Instagram and Twitter, with the handles @iamrafaeleao93 and @RafaeLeao7, respectively.
Rafael Leao Net Worth
Rafael Leao has a personal wealth of 135 million dollars.
