Yesterday was an emotional day for Rafael Leao as he not only made his World Cup debut with Portugal but he also scored after just a few minutes on the field.
There was some surprise when Leao was left out of the starting line-up by Portugal boss Fernando Santos as he instead preferred to start Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes in attack with Cristiano Ronaldo, so the Serie A MVP was left to settle for a spot on the bench.
However, Leao came on inside the final 20 minutes and was instrumental in Portugal’s victory over Ghana, scoring what proved to be the decisive third goal for his country with a typical right-footed bending shot inside the far post.
After netting his first ever World Cup goal, Leao spoke to the microphones of Record to reflect on what is yet another special chapter in what has been a very significant couple of years in his development, with MilanNews relaying his comments.
On the match: “The coach prepared the team very well, we knew they were strong on the counter-attack. Being very strong in all positions, we always took the initiative and they were far behind. In the second half we improved thanks to words of the coach in the dressing room. We had a different attitude.”
On his first World Cup experience and what he feels: “First of all the team. It was a complicated match against a difficult and courageous team. The team deserved the victory right from the start.”
On scoring the goal: “It’s a pride, I’ve been looking for this goal for a long time. I went in concentrated, I knew what I had to do and that was to help the team. With a goal or an assist, I wanted to give my best and I did it.”
On Portugal’s journey: “It’s about concentrating on the next match [against Uruguay], against a very difficult team. We have to prepare well for the match. Everyone who has entered and those who haven’t entered are concentrated.”
On the instructions from coach Santos: “He asked to be open, to get 1 against 1, to enter the area and to shoot.”
On the squad: “In the other national team matches, the older boys, Cristiano and Pepe, have always welcomed me and all the youngsters very well. Every time we, the younger ones, enter the pitch, we feel their trust and that of the coach, that way it’s much easier.”
On winning: “We always go onto the pitch to win. Every match is a game. We will do anything to win.”
Sell him in January for 100-150 million and then in the summer Milan can sell Kalulu to PSG for 70-80 million and Theo to Madrid for 100 million ^^
Time to harvest $$$$$ from these players ^^
So cynical…