Rafael Leão recently spent time in Costa Smeralda, combining his vacation with vital preparation for the upcoming season. His mindset, motivation, and the likelihood of playing just one match per week are considered key factors that could foster a successful partnership between him and new head coach Massimiliano Allegri.

This summer, Rafael Leão was seen wearing a t-shirt bearing the slogan: `Life hasn`t gotten easier, we`ve just gotten stronger.` Leão is set to arrive at Milanello tomorrow evening and begin his new chapter with Massimiliano Allegri on Monday morning. This marks the first time he starts a season under a coach with such a decorated track record – Pioli hadn`t achieved major wins when he first coached Rafa, and Fonseca was an outsider. The positive takeaway for Milan is Leão`s commitment to preparation. As the slogan suggests, becoming stronger is achieved through hard work.

Associated Video Caption: Milan, here`s Allegri! Greetings and smiles on his return to Milanello

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Leao`s Training Companions: Marcolin and Others

In preparation for the upcoming training camp, Leão recently trained in Costa Smeralda, Sardinia. He was assisted by Dario Marcolin, and other footballers like Destiny Udogie and Andrea Petagna were also spotted training in the area. Interestingly, Marcolin was a teammate of Allegri over thirty years ago at Cagliari. Throughout the summer, Rafa balanced leisure and training. Social media posts showed him training in Portugal and Brazil during earlier parts of his vacation. Leão appears to have developed a particular connection with Rio and Brazil, expressing sentiments like `Brazil has my heart,` dedicating jerseys, and sharing photos that blend Milan`s red and black with Flamengo`s colors.

Allegri and Leao: A Look at the Numbers

The current challenge for Leão is to elevate his game and prove his increased strength. In recent seasons, he has consistently registered double-digit assists: 8 goals and 10 assists last campaign, 9 goals and 10 assists in 2023-24, 15 goals and 10 assists during the 2022-23 Scudetto-winning season (his peak), and 11 goals and 10 assists in the Scudetto year itself. This consistency in assists is notable, yet there`s a pervasive sense that, despite his obvious talent, he possesses significant untapped potential. Massimiliano Allegri is the next manager tasked with helping him realize this potential. Allegri has a history of developing promising players and managing inconsistent talents through his unique approach – a blend of paternal guidance, firm discipline, strategic substitutions, and even team-building activities like basketball games during retreats. This method proved highly effective with players like Pogba and Dybala, worked well with Kean and Soulé, but was less successful with Vlahovic.

The Future Awaits Rafa

Leão stands apart from these players; while he might exhibit moments of youthful innocence, he is in all other aspects an adult player, Milan`s number 10, their most prominent figure, and a father of two. Predicting his trajectory over the next year is impossible – will it be another season of 10 goals and 10 assists? A career-defining breakthrough? Or perhaps a significant offer from Bayern that leads him away? However, this new era could prove beneficial for him. The presence of new teammates, a shifted locker room dynamic, and the return to playing just one match per week, reminiscent of the spring of 2022 when he was instrumental in Milan`s Scudetto win, are positive factors. Furthermore, his preparation indicates an encouraging start. Unlike one of his first days at Lille, where he mixed up `matin` (morning) and `après-midi` (afternoon) and arrived late for training, this time he will be at the training ground the night before and has proactively worked out during his vacation. This proactive approach seems like a sound strategy.

Associated Video Caption: Allegri`s Dream Milan Squad: New Full-backs, Modric, and Attack…