Rafael Leao received the plaudits of pundits and fans alike after his influential performance against Napoli in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday evening.
The in-form Portuguese was selected for media duties after the 1-1 draw at the Maradona and spent several minutes talking to Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards in the CBS Sports studio.
Henry highlighted one particular aspect of Leao’s performance against the Partenopei that stood out and one that proved essential in the build-up to the Rossoneri’s opener.
While conducting a brief interview, Henry asked Leao: “Before we talk about your run, that actually was crazy, I loved the way you and Giroud defended today, especially you, because if you guys want to go far, you have to defend like that.”
Leao was in action at both ends of the pitch on Tuesday night, putting in a brave sliding tackle on Hirving Lozano in his own area to prevent an almost certain goalscoring opportunity.
Shortly afterwards, Leao collected the ball deep inside his own half, drove all of 80 yards into the box, breezing past half of the Napoli team in the process and laid off to Olivier Giroud to tuck home from point blank range.
Henry then asked: “When did you decide that you were going to go to goal?”
Leao responded: When I passed the last defender, I looked to the goalkeeper and I saw from here, I can’t score. So, I looked to the area and I see Oli and I just gifted him.”
With his strength on the ball, effortlessly elusive movement and ability to create opportunities in front of goal, comparisons have previously been drawn between Leao and Henry.
Milan coach Stefano Pioli called it himself six months into Leao’s stay in Italy, claiming that: “He reminds me so much of Henry.”
Pioli then added: “One with his means must think of reaching the top, but talent isn’t enough.”