Just last summer it was wondered if Rafael Leão had a place at AC Milan. The team had finally reclaimed a Champions League spot and were looking towards the future and bigger stars. However, the young Portuguese forward remained at the club and has become absolutely integral. His blistering pace, outstanding skills, impeccable positioning, and uncanny ability to find his teammates has the Milan attack firing on all cylinders. Leao is blossoming at the right time. He truly looks like the future of the Milan attack.
Rafael Leao Is Blossoming for AC Milan
A Look Into the Past
Leao had long been a prospect in Portugal, making his senior debut with Sporting Lisbon in the 2017/18 season. In three appearances, the attacker managed to score one goal and provide an assist. His quick stint in the first division, paired with his successful past as a youth player, convinced Lille in France to bring him in.
He managed only one season in Lille, but that was due to his impressive play. In 24 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2018/19 season, Leao scored eight goals and two assists. This caught the attention of Milan, who signed the player on August 1, 2019 for a fee of 23 million Euros.
His first season was mediocre. Appearing in 31 Serie A matches, Leao scored six goals and provided two assists. Milan’s second half surge after COVID-19 postponed the season was impressive, but not enough to get them in the Champions League.
The following season saw Leao appear in 30 Serie A matches. He scored six goals and provided six assists. Leao wasn’t always considered a starter but was still a dangerous attacker. Milan finished second in the league and was finally on their way up. Now Leao is an integral piece of the team and arguably the best performer of 2022 thus far.
His Play This Season
The left-wing position now solely belongs to Leao. He previously had competition with Ante Rebic, but Leao won the position battle.
In 21 Serie A matches, Leao has scored seven goals and provided four assists. He also has two goals and an assist in two Coppa Italia matches, guiding Milan to the semi-finals where they’ll face city rivals Inter Milan. He also scored and assisted in the Champions League, although Milan didn’t last long in their tough group.
Milan are facing a very important month of February, and Leao is ensuring it’s a positive one. He played all 90 minutes in a massive victory over Inter. Then he scored once and assisted once in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals versus a tough Lazio team. Most recently, he scored the lone goal in a victory over Sampdoria. That win has Milan placed first in the Serie A table, although Inter does have a match in hand.
The Future of Rafael Leao
Leao’s impressive play is not going unnoticed by Milan. The club is working on extending the player’s contract, according to Fabrizio Romano.
He’s only 22-years old. If anything, Leao isn’t even close to his true potential just yet. Of course, the focus now is on the Scudetto race as well as the tight race for the top four. Should Milan and Leao work out a contract extension, then Milan have a real gem in their hands.
Main Photo
