Rafael Leão on AC Milan, CR7 & Portugal, Diogo Jota, Music & Zlatan (Soccer 2/20)

Anita Jones sits down with Portugal and AC Milan star Rafael Leão for a candid conversation about pressure, progression, and life beyond the pitch. Leão reflects on his humble beginnings on the outskirts of Lisbon, being ghosted by Benfica before landing at Sporting CP, and handling early comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo - the kind of “good pressure,” he says, that shaped his mentality. He also opens up about his relationship with streamer IShowSpeed, his respect for the rise of content creators in football, and why he embraces connecting the game to a new generation of fans. At AC Milan, Leão discusses managing expectations at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, adapting to a new role, and why “football now is about numbers.” He looks back on winning the Scudetto and being named Serie A MVP, the live-or-die intensity of the Milan derby, and how Zlatan Ibrahimović’s relentless competitiveness pushed him to another level. He also breaks down his growing on-field chemistry with Christian Pulisic. With Portugal, Leão explains why he believes Roberto Martínez is the right man to lead the national team, recalls the “crazy aura” of meeting Ronaldo for the first time, and speaks emotionally about the passing of Diogo Jota - “every game we think about him.” Off the field, he shares how becoming a father at a young age changed everything. Kickin’ It is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Visit the betting arena on CBSSports.com for all the latest in sportsbook reviews and sportsbook promos for betting on soccer. Follow the Kickin’ It team on Twitter: @CBSSportsGolazo, @kate_scott Watch Kickin’ It on the CBS Sports Golazo Network, the 24-hour soccer streaming network that is available for free on connected TV and mobile devices through the CBS Sports App and Pluto TV, and on CBSSports.com, as well as Paramount+. For more soccer coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ Watch UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Europa Conference League, EFL, Carabao Cup, Serie A, Coppa Italia, CONCACAF Nations League, NWSL, Scottish Premiership, Argentine Primera División, AFC Champion League and more by subscribing to Paramount+ Sign up to the Golazo newsletter, your ultimate guide to the Beautiful Game as our experts take you beyond the pitch and around the globe with news that matters. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices