Rafael Leao makes 'selfish' claim about Cristiano Ronaldo and says he could reach his level one day

Rafael Leao has made a "selfish claim" about Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo while discussing his own game.

The AC Milan star has been capped 23 times for Portugal and has been able to learn from the man he considers to be his idol.

Leao has always looked up to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner from being a youngster.

In a new interview with Sky Sport Italia, the 24-year-old was asked whether he believes he can emulate Ronaldo in his career.

Leao is already making waves but acknowledges that he does not have the "selfish" tendencies that helped make Ronaldo into a goalscoring machine.

Image: Getty

He also talked up Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Lionel Messi but believes things will click into place in the future.

"Yes, but I'm not selfish," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I can score goals but if I can also provide assists, I pass to my team-mate. At these levels the numbers make the difference because Mbappe, Haaland, Messi make numbers that speak for themselves. When I think like them, I will get to that level.”

Leao's last two campaigns in Serie A have seen him bag a total of 26 goals in 69 games.

Image: Getty

Linked with Chelsea and Manchester City previously, he has found the net four times in all competitions this term.

But Leao is not short of any confidence and was also asked whether he would fit into a world XI of elite players.

He replied: "Yes, because I'm doing well and I know I can stay there. Other players of my age are now at a higher level than me but yes."

The former Sporting CP and Lille man then went ahead and picked a star-studded team, placing himself on the left flank in a front three which included Vinicius Jr and Mbappe.

Image: Getty

He explained: “4-3-3. [Mike] Maignan, [Joao] Cancelo on the right, Theo [Hernandez] on the left, Thiago Silva in the centre with… [Virgil] van Dijk? No… Ruben Dias. In midfield [Jude] Bellingham, [Kevin] De Bruyne, [Luka] Modric. And in front Leao on the left, Vinicius on the right and Mbappe centre forward.”

Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, AC Milan, Portugal

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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