A 20-year-old Rafael Leao, though still a boy in many respects with much to learn, joined AC Milan in the summer of the 2019-20 season. However, in the final month of 2023, his progression into a man has never been so clear.
Leao returned to the Milan squad from the start against Newcastle United – a pivotal Champions League fixture. While his side did all they could to progress, beating the Magpies, they were unlucky not to progress into the final 16 – only entering the Europa League due to Paris Saint-Germain earning a draw against Borussia Dortmund.
His impact was not felt as much as it has been in previous fixtures, though that is to be expected, given it was his first game in a month. Nonetheless, he still assisted the Rossoneri. Kieran Trippier struggled against the winger, and he came agonizingly close to scoring, twice, and grew as the game progressed, ensuring his teammates did too.
MilanNews writes that the last topic is to be expected and will continue, given his new role in the dressing room. The now 24-year-old is a pivotal figure in the dressing room and a point of example. For example, whilst his teammates celebrated the result on Wednesday evening on the pitch, Leao did not, at least externally.
His body language was sombre, maybe frustrated at himself for not scoring or grief that his side did not progress despite doing what they needed to on the night.
The next thing to inspect is his press conference comments, which can be read in full here.
On the Europa League…
“Now we continue in the Europa League, Milan have never won it. Now we enter this competition to try to win it.”
What game was your game like?
“Difficult, difficult. These moments of responsibility help me grow. In the first half a little so-so, the team helped me raise the level in the second half.”
What did you think about the shot hitting the post?
“Disappointed, it was important for me to return with a goal. The most important thing was to continue in the Champions League, unfortunately, we weren’t able to reach that goal. But we continue in Europe and that’s fine.”
Milan will face Monza next in the league and need to claim a win, following the disappointing defeat against Atalanta last time out.”
There are two underlying values across all of his comments. Hunger and maturity. Maybe in his younger days, his comments could be misconstrued, with Wednesday night though, there can be no arguments.
The facts are clear to see. He is hungry for success, immediately thinking of a first for Milan, winning the Europa League, and then thinking of the chase for the Scudetto, not ruling anything out. He is hungry for himself, disappointed with himself, and fully aware of his responsibility to the team.
Ultimately, he is hungry for Milan, which, is only a benefit for the Rossoneri. Maybe this is not Leao 2.0, but rather 3.0, following his evolution into a reliable goalscorer. However, one thing is clear, above all, he has evolved from a boy to a man, and Milan’s man at that.
Rafa has to start scoring more and being more decisive before any 2.0 or 3.0 brands are thrown around.
well said!
I would say more consistent… bet yeah, 100%
🤣🤣🤣
Same ‘ol Leao.
There is no Leao 2.0, 3.0 or
C-3PO.
Action speak louder than words, and his actions on the pitch are the same from that 20 year old in 2019.
Missed 2 chances that a player that is hyped up by the media and certain fans should not be missing. And that has nothing to do with him being out for a month. We have a 4.5 years body of work of him being a poor finisher.
And he was celebrating. He was hugging Chukwueze for a while thanking him for saving his a*s.
It used to be only certain fans and certain media calling him out. Now his teammates(Florenzi) are calling him out too.
I guess now we judging who is the leader on a team from what they say in the media after the games. Like this players are not media trained to tell you what you want to hear.
He should show hunger and maturity on the pitch not on the microphone.
I’m sorry but this article is so far off the mark its funny.
Leao has huge talent, the only thing holding him back is his immaturity.
Mbappe at his age had done it all.
The fact he was off the pace was understandable, the missed shots not so much but most importantly he strolled around and didn’t track back.
Don’t get me wrong I’m a huge fan, but mature he certainly is not
LOL. I was about to comment on the “mature” part but you said it all already.
And – surprise, surprise, as people seem to think of me as a Leao-hater – I was also going to say to his defense that he was out for 30 days so it’s not that incredible that his ball control and shot accuracy was a bit off.
I can’t understand the criticism for rafeol leao .
He tormented the Newcastle back line throughout the game …yes he should have scored a goal ,,,but he has been out for a while ,,,but he was still dam good ,trippier struggled against him ..
I was a few weeks fed up with some of you moaning fans about Oliver Giroud,,,but let me tell you something he has been a big success for us ..age 37 years of age,but still 2nd highest scorer in sera a .
Yes he didn’t create many chances ,,but he did provide a goal with a sublime pass for pulisic to score.
The biggest disappointment for me is the midfield,,reinders and Loftus cheek were poor .
But nether the less a super second half performance from us ,and we could have scored 4 goals ..
Big Mike superb as was tomori ,,,pulisic faded a bit towards the end of the match as was substituted as was Olivier Giroud as was leao ,,.but what a tactical genius was the substitutions from pioli ,,yes our coach .he has also had unfair criticism…yes jovic came on and did well as did okafor ,,,his pass lead to a superb goal from chuckweze .
So my man of the match Pioli …a great coach .
Start believing ,.we are out of the champions leauge ,but still in Europe…this competition is still worth winning …We have a very good side and a very decent coach ….The best perhaps is still to come .keep believing..
Leao was indeed out.
But he still should’ve scored 2 goals. Needs to turn into a killer or he’ll be a Dembelé of the leftwing. Not bad at all! But barely or not even top 5 left winger material.
Leao 2.0 ? more lake Leao 0.2
like*
I’m sorry, what exactly did he do?
If he’s all these things why are we knocked out of the UCL? Seems like regression more than anything
I’ve always cheered for Leao and is behind him 110%. However, I don’t see his leadership quality thus far. A leader would’ve picked their team up, shows grinta and just by seeing him, he would motivate the team and sometimes this kind of things are palpable to the crowd too.
He needs to take a leap in quality, and he best do it sooner than later. He’s entering his prime and many greats of the game have achieved so much more at his age. He needs to turn that potential into something tangible.
I read the headline and I’m like “are we watching the same games”. His only progression is not being so lazy and actually helping the defence. But otherwise, he can beat anyone 1v1 but cannot actually score a goal if his life depended on it. If i was his coach he would only train shots all day round