Despite the fact that AC Milan now have a more spread attacking threat, it is still very much the case that Rafael Leao’s level of performance can determine the outcome of games.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall how it was back in April that Leao tore through half of Napoli’s defence and squared it to Olivier Giroud who scored to put Milan in the semi-final of the Champions League.
The Portuguese winger is without a goal since October 2022 and the win against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia. It was Leao’s second goal in the competition, his third in Europe, and the next aim is obviously to score a fourth.
His season debut in Europe against Newcastle did not go to plan as a clumsy attempt at a back-heel inside the six-yard box drew a lot of criticism and frustration, given the team went on to draw 0-0.
In the international field – not in Serie A, where his trademark is already very strong – Leao has yet to expand. He scored only three goals in the European competitions cups: one against Sparta Prague in the Europa League in October 2020, and two in the Champions League, one against Atletico Madrid (September 2021) and then finished against Dinamo Zagreb.
As a comparison, Erling Haaland – who is a year younger – has 39 European goals, with Kylian Mbappé on 41 and the rising star Bellingham on 9. Kaka turned 24 with 11 goals in the Champions League, to his name Ronaldinho made his debut in the competition at the age of 24, scoring the first goal in his second match.
Looking internationally, Leao has 21 caps for the Portuguese national team, but only three as a starter. At the last winter World Cup in Qatar he made five appearances, all as a substitute, scoring two goals against Ghana and Switzerland.
Leao’s climb to being a European great will hopefully coincide with Milan’s too, given this is just their third season in the Champions League after an eight-year absence.
Leao has become a leader and his quality is at the service of the group. His smile infects the group and he wants to smile tonight, but the feeling is that Dortmund will focus more on Rafa tonight than on his team-mates.
Kaka didn’t just score goals. He scored important goals and was particularly keen on scoring in the tougher matches like against Man Utd and Celtic when we needed the goals. Those guys used to walk out on the pitch with an air about them..as if the UCL was their turf and that alone struck fear into the opponents. I’ve never seen anything since. No one wanted to play us