a year agoWhen you watch Rafael Leão play for the first time, it’s hard to imagine him feeling any fear at all. The way he gallops beaming around the San Siro – twisting and laughing around helpless defenders – is nothing but joyous. When he scores, which is often, he’s bashful and giddy, giggling with his teammates like he’s back on the playground in Almada. Rafael Leão is undoubtedly fearless. His, though, is a bravery based in peace. He’s not afraid because he doesn’t have to be. He believes the next chance will come and the chance after that. It’s an attitude that allows for self-expression and one that has served him well both on and off the pitch.
The Gen-Z football superstar is multifaceted. They are hyper talented on the field, of course. Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Linda Caicedo and Jamal Musiala spend most of their time breaking new records and new ground for young ballers on the pitch. What’s different about this generation of players is that they live full, well-rounded, varied lives away from football as well. It’s an autonomy outside of football that hasn’t been present in the game since before Wenger’s professionalism revolution. Leão, being the fearless type, has set his sights on conquering one of the biggest prizes of all: the world of fashion.
“I’m not afraid”, he says, “I think I have the personality for it… and the image.”
As the Milanese superstar makes his way around set, signing shirts and taking selfies with the crew, the thing most striking is the calm he exudes. He’s a young man, both in football and in life, but has the self-assuredness of someone much older. It’s an inner belief that allows him to move elegantly through whichever world he chooses. He doesn’t need to worry. He doesn’t need to be fearful. He’s Rafael Leão.
Photography: @elliothensford
Photography Assistant: @fingleeson
Directed by: @tj.saw1
Lighting/Digi: @barneyarthurphoto
Styling: @aureliemasonperez
Set Design: @skyehalsey
Set Design Assistant: Leone Marigo
Creative Direction: @morganallann, @elliothensford
Creative Production: @tj.saw1
Production: @amiloucri
Retouching: @arrwsmth
Wearing: #bottegaveneta