Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta believes Rafael Leao is among the top five strikers in the world, but Paolo Di Canio and Alessandro Del Piero don’t seem to agree.

The Portuguese striker scored and assisted in Milan’s 3-1 win over Empoli on Saturday night.

He has already collected four goals and seven assists in nine games across all competitions this season after being named Serie A’s Best Player for 2021-22.

Milan legend Costacurta, now a pundit for Sky Sport Italia, said on Saturday that the ex-Sporting starlet is among the top five strikers in the world, but his compatriots Di Canio and Del Piero don’t share his view.

“[Erling] Haaland is in a different category. I don’t look at aesthetics, Haaland has already visited other words,” said Di Canio during last night’s show Sky Calcio Club.

“Leao has the talent to be in the top three, he is destined to go there, but right now he is not,” the ex-Lazio and Juventus striker added.

“Don’t exaggerate,” continued Juventus legend Del Piero.

“A year ago, I was one of the few saying that this lad could become a phenomenon once aware of his qualities. He is on the right path. His impact is incredible. However, he is still not among the top five strikers in the world.

“Right now, three are at PSG and two at Real Madrid, plus Haaland, Lewandowski and all the rest. Leao has extraordinary qualities, but today he is not among the top five, but I hope he will become so.”

Leao joined Milan in a €30m deal from Lille in 2019 and has a €150m release clause included in his contract.

The Rossoneri rejected Chelsea’s approaches over the summer and are now in talks to extend the striker’s contract which runs out in June 2024.

14 thought on “Milan star Leao sparks debate: ‘Is he among the top five strikers in the world?’”
  1. Leao can be whatever he wants to be. But he needs to develop his game in the air. For someone with such height and physique, he should be a monster in the air. But more often than not, he doesn’t challenge aerially.

  2. Nah, he isn’t Top 5 yet but he could be. He is currently at where Vinicius was 2 seasons ago. Ball is in his court I’d say.

  3. His physique is still developing, and changing so fast. His development reminds me of Ronaldo at Man Utd.

  4. Leao is currently very inconsistent. Top strikers are more consistent in their production. Once he can get into his stride, he can be mentioned in that discussion, but for now too early to call him top 5 striker.

  5. Very inconsitent

    Eight goal contributions in seven series a games
    Three goal contributions in two champ league games
    Twenty goal contributions in his last fifteen games for Milan!

  6. @Rosario, Vini is faster, the better dribbler, the better finisher & makes better decisions overall. How exactly is Leao superior to him right now.

  7. Physically he has the goods but there are 2 remaining things you need before you can get to the top. Mentality and quality and those are still not there yet.

  8. Better dribbler than leao? Maybe! Faster than leao? Definitely no!
    Leao can play in multiple positions! He has the presence and physique to develop into a top central striker!
    Vinicius has had the luck of being surrounded by winners, whilst leao has been integral to Milan‘s renaissance! He is also stronger and already a leader! They’re poles apart!

  9. @Rosario, what ever you wanna tell yourself. The stats and results speak for themselves. Vini is tested in the biggest stages, Leao isn’t. Leao can’t even start for Portugal!

    Clubs will cough out €100m for Vini today easy. Leao will be priced around €50m-€70m if he wants to move.

  10. Why would Vinicius* want to leave Real Madrid? He is blessed to be playing with superstars like benzema, Valverde and co. Leao would only leave Milan for money. He now has the opportunity to play at the biggest stage. He has plenty to learn and aspire to but technically, pure talent-wise and physically he is miles ahead of Vinicius.

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