While there continues to be great debate surrounding Rafael Leao’s current role, the numbers show a shift in his way of playing.
Despite the challenges of physical problems, Leao has once again reached double figures in goals with Milan this year in all competitions, with nine of them in the league plus two assists. Compared to previous seasons, the Portuguese is playing more centrally, and the data demonstrates this.
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As Sky (via MilanPress) said in their broadcast, Leao dribbles less but scores more. In the 2022-23 season he was second for dribbling (70) and fifth for goals scored (14) in Serie A. In 2023-24 he was third for dribbling (77) and 22nd for goals scored (9).
In 2024-25 season the Portuguese was second for dribbling (57) and 21st for goals scored (8). The current season almost completely overturns these data: Leao is only 31st for successful dribbles (19) but is second in the goalscoring charts (9 goals scored).
They also compare his per 90 numbers from this season to last. Leao us shooting more, has more shots on target, essentially the same Expected Goals without penalties, less in Expected Assists, half the dribbles completed, but 17 less minutes per goal contribution on average.
Recently, an analyst picked out a few moments from the win over Cremonese which demonstrated that the former Lille star is now showing the traits of a striker. This morning, La Gazzetta dello Sport spoke of positive contacts over a renewal until 2030, so Leao remains at the centre in every way.
