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Is the word leao the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

Yes

The word "leão" is identical in spelling, meaning, and grammatical function in both Brazilian and Continental Portuguese. The only difference lies in pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the nasalized vowel "ão" is typically pronounced with a more open and melodic resonance. In Continental Portuguese, the pronunciation tends to be more "closed" or clipped, and the rhythm of the word within a sentence follows the distinct, stress-timed cadence of European Portuguese.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. O leão é o rei da selva. (The lion is the king of the jungle.)
  2. Eu vi um leão no zoológico. (I saw a lion at the zoo.)
  3. Aquele jogador é um leão dentro de campo. (That player is a lion on the field.)
  4. O rugido do leão foi muito alto. (The lion's roar was very loud.)
  5. O leão estava dormindo debaixo da árvore. (The lion was sleeping under the tree.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. O leão é o rei da selva. (The lion is the king of the jungle.)
  2. Vi um leão no zoo. (I saw a lion at the zoo.)
  3. Ele é um verdadeiro leão quando joga futebol. (He is a true lion when he plays soccer.)
  4. O rugido do leão foi aterrador. (The lion's roar was terrifying.)
  5. O leão repousava sob a árvore. (The lion was resting beneath the tree.)