Rafa Leao is a new man and a new player. During the days off granted by Allegri, Rafa did not go to the beach, hang out with friends, or listen to his favorite music. He flew to Portugal for the sweetest occasion: the first birthday of his twins, Tiago and Leonardo, with “Happy Birthday” as the only soundtrack.
For the first time, the player has shown his family so openly, including the kids dressed in Milan onesies. Rafa is no longer only a footballer or musician. This new phase of his life and career now includes being a father, which brings more responsibility and awareness. He seemed to show this side as well in his only brief appearance of the season so far: less than 15 minutes in the Coppa Italia debut against Bari, before his muscle injury and substitution.
On the pitch, Rafa had a different look as he came on, less casual than usual and more focused. It might not be a coincidence that his first goal of the year came from a precise header, a technical move not among his main qualities and one he must have trained on during the summer, finally convinced to improve himself.
A headed goal is often the trademark of true center-forwards, which is what Max has asked him to become, moving him away from the comfort of the wing and into the penalty area. Leao is set to be the team’s new reference point in attack: an unconventional “9.” For the first time in the club’s recent history, that shirt number has not been assigned. Rafa has kept his “10,” in line with his creativity and unpredictability. But the coach’s demands will be very different from the usual runs down the wing. In Allegri’s new 3-5-2, Estupiñán will own the left flank. Rafa will play more centrally, next to Pulisic, who will act as a second striker. Leao will be asked to attack depth, play with his back to goal, and create spaces for teammates. A new role that requires new understanding and more cooperation.
Before, he could switch on and off. Now he must stay connected to the team’s play at all times. On and off the field. Since arriving at Milan in the summer of 2019, Rafa has become one of the senior figures in the group. Excluding Gabbia, who grew up at Milanello but was loaned out twice, Leao is the longest-serving player. This is why Max expects more commitment in the dressing room, to shape him into a team leader, as relayed via Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition.
When can we expect Rafael Leao's return to the pitch?
Allegri hopes for Sunday night against Bologna, when Serie A resumes. Already yesterday, despite the team being off, Rafa was at the training center working on his personalized recovery program. This afternoon marks the team’s official return after three days off, but Rafa will not yet be part of the group. He will only be considered fully fit to start on Sunday if he joins at least partially in tomorrow’s session. If his return to full training is delayed, it will be monitored day by day, with no certainty he can start against Bologna. Rafa had ended the Coppa Italia opener as both scorer, netting the team’s first goal of the season, and injured, forced off after less than 15 minutes. The diagnosis was a calf strain, with unclear recovery times. Now, though, Rafa is pushing hard to be ready for the weekend.
