a year agoWhen you watch Rafael LeΓ£o play for the first time, itβs hard to imagine him feeling any fear at all. The way he gallops beaming around the San Siro β twisting and laughing around helpless defenders β is nothing but joyous. When he scores, which is often, heβs bashful and giddy, giggling with his teammates like heβs back on the playground in Almada. Rafael LeΓ£o is undoubtedly fearless. His, though, is a bravery based in peace. Heβs not afraid because he doesnβt have to be. He believes the next chance will come and the chance after that. Itβs an attitude that allows for self-expression and one that has served him well both on and off the pitch.β£β£β£
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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. Whatβs different about this generation of players is that they live full, well-rounded, varied lives away from football as well. Itβs an autonomy outside of football that hasnβt been present in the game since before Wengerβs professionalism revolution. LeΓ£o, being the fearless type, has set his sights on conquering one of the biggest prizes of all: the world of fashion.β£β£β£
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βIβm not afraidβ, he says, βI think I have the personality for itβ¦ and the image.ββ£β£β£
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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. Heβs a young man, both in football and in life, but has the self-assuredness of someone much older. Itβs an inner belief that allows him to move elegantly through whichever world he chooses. He doesnβt need to worry. He doesnβt need to be fearful. Heβs Rafael LeΓ£o.β£β£β£
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Photography: @elliothensfordβ£β£β£
Photography Assistant: @fingleesonβ£β£β£
Directed by: @tj.saw1β£β£β£
Lighting/Digi: @barneyarthurphotoβ£β£β£
Styling: @aureliemasonperezβ£β£β£
Set Design: @skyehalseyβ£β£β£
Set Design Assistant: Leone Marigoβ£β£β£
Creative Direction: @morganallann, @elliothensfordβ£β£β£
Creative Production: @tj.saw1β£β£β£
Production: @amiloucriβ£β£β£
Retouching: @arrwsmthβ£β£β£
Wearing: #bottegaveneta