GdS: Ibrahimovic’s ‘new mission’ is to finally take Leao ‘to the next level’

One of the big frustrations about Rafael Leao’s time with AC Milan is that he has not yet kicked on to be a truly elite winger. Zlatan Ibrahimovic hopes to help him change that.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport write, Zlatan is currently treating his 72 million social media followers to posts of a taekwondo move two centimetres from Verratti’s face (no hospitalisation reported) and acrobatics with a ball in a pool.

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An image to fix

The aura of the Swede remains absolutely notable but in football terms it has been partially eroded by Milan’s last season. Ibra found himself – along with everyone else from Gerry Cardinale down – in the crosshairs of the Rossoneri fans.

Now, the supporters even have difficulty swallowing the Swede’s relaxation while Igli Tare and Massimiliano Allegri have practically taken their camp bed to Casa Milan, to try fix the mess that those before left.

When talking about Zlatan and his public attitude, especially since he stopped playing, it is necessary to make a strict distinction between opportunity and role. Because the role, although destined to remain rather fluid and based on a set of corporate missions, does not prevent him in any way from living it in his way.

The Swede is not a Milan director, he is a RedBird consultant, on RedBird’s payroll, and therefore operates in a different context and at a different level, for example, from the sporting director Tare and the CEO Giorgio Furlani.

These reflections help to clarify things a bit, to look at things from a different perspective, and perhaps to try to understand where a decisive contribution from Ibra could come from.

The Leao mission

Scrolling through the various official areas of expertise, we also read that his mandate ‘will include player development and high-performance training’.

Here it is, the key to his presence at Milanello, to transfer his experience and his vision to the players. It is in this context that the name of Leao inevitably bursts forth. He has just turned 26, an age where completeness is the word that encompasses everything.

Zlatan must give that to him, or at least help him in that last step that Rafa just can’t achieve. There was a time four years ago when the Swede, speaking of the Portuguese, said: “I couldn’t stimulate him. If he doesn’t help himself, no one can help him. Before this season, however, he changed completely, he understood on his own what to do.”

In his book Adrenalina he was even more emphatic: “Only with Leao I couldn’t find the key to wake him up. I tried in every way, I was sweet, tough, indifferent. I succeeded with everyone, but not with him. I came to the conclusion that, if one doesn’t wake up on his own, there’s little to do.”

You have to try again, Zlatan. The mission is clear and essential since Rafa – net of offers north of €100m – is destined not only to remain at Milanello, but to be the cornerstone on which the squad is being remoulded.

The two have always had an intense relationship, both as team-mates and afterwards, with mutual appreciation. Zlatan will have to take matters into his own hands again, using words not in the media but directly to the winger.

Ibra once said: “Who is better between me and Leao? Zlatan, but Zlatan created Leao.” Well, now he can make that exaggeration something that really is true.