Rafael Leao still cannot get into the Portugal starting XI at the World Cup and coach Fernando Santos explains it’s because ‘he has more freedom at Milan, but here is struggling to keep the shape.’
The 23-year-old has been very impressive when coming off the bench, scoring with his first touch in the tournament.
However, he has always been left on the bench and that seems to be the situation for the upcoming Round of 16 clash with Switzerland too.
“Leao is a top player with massive potential,” said Santos in his press conference this afternoon.
“He’s going to have a great career, but unlike at club level where he has more freedom to roam from the left wing, here he has to keep the shape and he’s struggling with that.
“He is a huge talent and I have faith in him, though.”
Leao was named Serie A Player of the Year after taking Milan to the Serie A title and they have now qualified for the Champions League Round of 16.
A poll caused controversy this week in Portuguese paper A Bola, showing that 70 per cent of those who voted felt Cristiano Ronaldo should not be in the starting XI for his country.
It is fair to say that Milan have adapted their system to get the best out of Leao and Theo Hernandez, who are very attack-minded and not known for their tactical discipline.
So far this season, Rafael Leao has seven goals and nine assists in 20 competitive games for Milan.