![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/RafaelLe%25C3%25A3oPortugal23.jpg/640px-RafaelLe%25C3%25A3oPortugal23.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Rafael Leão
Portuguese footballer (born 1999) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Rafael Leão?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁɐfɐˈɛl ˈljɐ̃w]; born 10 June 1999) is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a left winger for Serie A club AC Milan and the Portugal national team. Considered one of the best left wingers in the world, he is known for his dribbling and speed.[1][2]
![]() Leão with Portugal in 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full name | Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Date of birth | (1999-06-10) 10 June 1999 (age 25) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Almada, Portugal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position(s) | Left winger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Current team | AC Milan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2006–2007 | Amora | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2007–2008 | Foot 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008–2017 | Sporting CP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017–2018 | Sporting CP B | 12 | (7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017–2018 | Sporting CP | 3 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018–2019 | Lille | 24 | (8) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019– | AC Milan | 164 | (46) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
International career‡ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014–2016 | Portugal U16 | 10 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015–2016 | Portugal U17 | 11 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016–2017 | Portugal U19 | 17 | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017–2019 | Portugal U20 | 8 | (2) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017–2021 | Portugal U21 | 15 | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021– | Portugal | 31 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 07:47, 26 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:11, 5 July 2024 (UTC) |
Graduating from Sporting CP youth system, Leão made his first-team debut in 2018, winning the 2017–18 Taça da Liga, before unilaterally terminating his contract, following an incident involving a mob of ultras fans within the club's facilities. Shortly after, he joined for Ligue 1 side Lille on a free transfer. AC Milan signed him in 2019 for a reported fee of €35 million. In his third season at the club, he helped the team win the 2021–22 Serie A, which ended the club's 11-year league title drought. He was also voted Serie A Most Valuable Player and was listed among the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.
Leão is a former Portugal youth international, representing his country at various youth levels, being part of the under-17 team that won the 2016 European Championship. He made his senior international debut in 2021, and was part of Portugal's squads at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024.