Rafael Leão is independently preparing for his return post-international break, revealing to his followers: “Max Allegri and Zlatan Ibrahimović want me to spend less time on my smartphone.”
September marks the beginning of the football season, often showcasing new signings. While Rafael Leão is not a newcomer to AC Milan—San Siro has been his home since 2019—his return after the international break will feel like a fresh acquisition for the Rossoneri. The Portuguese forward was sidelined for the season`s opening matches against Cremonese and Lecce due to a right calf strain sustained shortly after scoring in the Coppa Italia against Bari. Although Leão has not yet fully recovered (yesterday he trained in the gym with teammates, followed by individual work on the field), AC Milan`s medical staff is optimistic about having him ready for Massimiliano Allegri by next week. The objective is for Leão to be in prime condition for the third-round fixture against Bologna, which would mark his seasonal debut in Serie A as the team`s number ten.
The Life of a Center Forward
The injury unfortunately halted Leão`s momentum just as he was hitting peak form, following a highly promising pre-season in his new role under Allegri. In Max`s preferred 3-5-2 formation, Rafa is the designated “number nine,” regardless of whether Christian Pulisic or the latest arrival, Christopher Nkunku, completes the attacking duo. While the team might eventually transition to a 3-4-2-1 setup, Leão`s role will remain largely unchanged: he will consistently be the focal point of an attack from which great things are expected this season.
The Allegri Effect
Expectations are particularly high for Rafa. In the past two seasons, Leão failed to reach double-digit goals. Granted, he wasn`t playing as a central striker, and the team faced some challenges; moreover, goals don`t tell the whole story of a talent like his. Still, it`s undeniable that after his 15 goals in 2022-23, fans anticipated more. Furthermore, consistent progress in leadership hasn`t been evident. This is why Allegri`s approach, even before tactical considerations, has been fundamentally psychological. Max has coached many champions throughout his career, often excelling at bringing out their best. Rafa precisely needs this: a mentor to help him consistently express his full potential, without the inconsistencies of the recent past that, under previous coaches like Fonseca and Conceição, even led to some surprising benchings.
Less Social Media, More Football
Aside from a few isolated incidents (such as the now-infamous cooling break at Rome`s Stadio Olimpico, where Rafa and Theo Hernandez were separated from the rest of the team and coach), Leão has consistently shown dedication to AC Milan and the squad. This is why Max is convinced there`s a strong foundation—beyond his undeniable talent—to instill the right mentality and transform him into a complete top player. This process also involves some stern talks and rules. “Allegri and Ibrahimović tell me to use social media less,” Rafa confessed with his usual smile on the evening AC Milan defeated Lecce, during one of his first live streams on Twitch, the latest social network where he opened an official channel. Last season, Leão often used social media to respond to criticism from fans and pundits, including Antonio Cassano, who was never too gentle in judging his performances. Today, however, both the club and the coach hope that the Portuguese player will deliver his true responses on the field rather than online. This maturation process also involves such details, because AC Milan knows that if Leão develops, the season`s objectives are far more likely to be achieved.
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