Rafael Leao: Milan star hits back at criticism with Ibrahimovic interview | OneFootball

Milan star Rafael Leao hits back at criticism by sharing a Zlatan Ibrahimovic interview in which the ex-striker said: ‘You are not at the top if you are not criticised.’

Leao scored a goal in Milan’s 6-1 Coppa Italia win over Sassuolo on Tuesday, which allowed the Rossoneri to qualify for the quarter-finals.

The Portuguese winger has had highs and lows this season and was even benched by Paulo Fonseca in some key games.

Some fans and Italian media also criticised Leao, so he answered his detractors in one of his latest Instagram stories.

The Portuguese shared an old Ibrahimovic interview with Sport Mediaset, in which the former striker said: “It’s normal [to be criticised] because you are not at the top if you are not criticised. I’ve been criticised 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.”

Ibrahimovic retired at the end of the 2023-24 campaign aged 41.

He returned to the club last year, becoming the ‘Operating Partner’ and ‘Senior Advisor’ to RedBird and Milan owner Gerry Cardinale.

Ibrahimovic recently praised Leao, saying that not even the Portuguese winger realises how good he is.

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