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.
