Goals, hugs, pleas and a marathon without sprints: Leao showing signs of leadership

Rafael Leao is never far away from media attention. Whether it is praise or criticism, everyone seems to have an opinion on AC Milan’s No.10.

What’s clear to everyone is that Leao is not playing at 100%, and hasn’t been for weeks now. After an initial groin strain, the issue seems to have become pubalgia which is affecting his usual bursts of pace and darting runs.

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Yet, Leao is finding a way to be productive. On Wednesday against Como, the Portuguese scored again after almost a month and a half without one, pulling himself level with Christian Pulisic as the joint-top scorer on eight Serie A goals.

In doing so, Leao also became only the second player to be involved in at least 10 goals in each of the last six Serie A seasons (since 2020-21), after Lautaro Martínez. Leao has eight goals and two assists this season, not bad for someone playing largely at 50%, in a new position.

Signs of leadership

Indeed, Leao is increasingly becoming accustomed to playing as a centre-forward, a role that can allow him to score more goals than in the past because he is playing closer to goal. It was not a given either, especially because in theory it limits his biggest strength: those tearing runs down the right.

In an interview with CBS Sports he shed light on this transition: “Before the start of the season, I was ready for anything. When Allegri told me he wanted to play me as a centre-forward, I told him I was ready. You can score more goals in that position. In football, numbers are important: if you want to be one of the best, you have to score goals and provide assists.”

Yet, the signs of Leao being a leader go beyond him literally leading the line and extend to his actions on the pitch. After scoring the leveller on Wednesday night, he didn’t think about a personal celebration and immediately ran to hug Mike Maignan, who had ‘gifted’ Como a goal in the first half.

It isn’t the first time, either. In the 1-1 draw against Genoa in early January, he scored the last-minute equaliser and went to hug Youssouf Fofana on the bench, who was still feeling down after a glaring first-half miss.

The vice-captain, who is now a father to young twins, is also trying to motivate away from the field. In truth, nobody in the squad can allow themselves to believe that the seven-point gap between them and Inter is unbridgeable, but it’s another thing to publicly state it.

With 39 points still to play or, Leao made his thoughts known with a simple caption on Instagram: “It’s a marathon.” The photo was of himself and the Milan logo. The message was clear: there’s a long way to go, and the Rossoneri are going to push it all the way.

As a final point, after the tie with the Lariani, Leao made an impassioned plea to the Milan supporters in his post-match interview with DAZN, urging them to back the team in the decisive moment of the season.

“This is a time of the season where I ask all the fans to show the same energy. I understand the boos after this draw because Milan fans always want to win, but there comes an important moment of the season where we all have to stick together.”

There’s still the derby to be played on the second weekend of March. If that were a win, it could be a season-changing night that sparks a special comeback. Leao wants to be front and centre again.