Ibrahimovic sends strong message to Leao: “If he doesn’t help himself, no one can help him”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted that AC Milan team-mate Rafael Leao needed to find his own path as even he couldn’t stimulate the young Portuguese winger.

With Leao now into his third season at the club, the feeling is that he must begin to show signs of consistency in his game. Despite being just 23 years of age he has shown an explosive amount of potential in both of his first two full seasons, but only in glimpses with the general consensus being that more consistency is needed. He has five goals this season in 15 appearances across Serie A and the Champions League, having shown a leap in mentality.

Leao actually hit good form in his first season when Ibrahimovic arrived at the club, with the duo playing essentially as a forward pairing. Ibrahimovic spoke to Corriere TV about a number of different topics, and he also discussed the exploits of Leao, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

“We all have a different character. He is young, he is maturing, he can still grow a lot for the talent he has. I couldn’t stimulate him. If he doesn’t help himself, no one can help him. Before this season. He totally changed, he figured out what to do on his own,” he said.


READ MORE: Elliott Management green light key January signing – three potential formulas and six targets