Before Ibrahimovic retired and joined Milan's management team, the pair won the Serie A together with the Rossoneri.
In an interview with CBS Sports, Leão talks about the relationship with Ibrahimovic and the importance he had for his development.
"It was a training in which some players from the academy participated. At the end of the session we played an internal match and some of them were in Zlatan's team. They lost and he was on a completely different level," recalled Leão.
"He went straight to the coach and said: 'This was the last time they trained with us'. After that they were not allowed to come back.
"That's good press. For me it was positive. When playing with such players, you have to absorb what they say and learn.
"When they say something, it's because they care and want you to contribute more to the team. For me it was a useful episode, although he is demanding, perhaps a little too demanding."
The relationship between the pair, though, remains close.
"We have a good relationship. When he arrives, he asks about my family. We spent three years together and he has helped me a lot," says Leão.
"He's someone I want to keep in my life, even off the field. I know if I need anything I can call him and he will help me."