Rafa Leao is set to become a father of twins in November. Fatherhood has significantly changed his perspective on life and his future, especially in the sporting context. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Leao declared his ambition to become one of the best footballers in the world. He confirmed that he has been training more intensively during the preseason than in previous years, with a focus on improving his goal-scoring capabilities.Abraham’s choice: West Ham and Everton – swipe left, AC Milan – swipe rightLeao has realized that doubling his goal tally each season is essential if he wants to join the “Pantheon” of today’s great players. His dribbling, runs, and creativity will only matter if they result in goals. He will have the guidance of Zlatan Ibrahimović, who has started advising him on how to improve his efficiency. The first piece of advice is to be more ruthless in front of the goal and more relentless on the field.“I want to score more goals, that’s clear. I’ll try to do both, the plays and the goals. On the pitch, I can adapt. I can play close to the striker, but now, with more tactical football, the teams move back and occupy the central area a lot. I haven’t played with my back to goal too much in recent years, I need space to see the whole pitch. I don’t see myself playing centre-forward any time soon. Sometimes people don’t understand certain things about football, but that doesn’t bother me. The only criticism I hear is from my coach, the managers, and those at Milan. They love me here, they know what level I can get to, and I know it too. I can be one of the best, not just at Milan, but in the world“ he said in an interview. AC Milan have their new “Jaap Stam” – the fearless Serbian signed until 2028Leao is expected to benefit greatly from Paulo Fonseca’s arrival as Milan’s coach. The style of play advocated by the Portuguese coach, combined with their shared nationality, is likely to have a direct impact on Leao’s career trajectory. Besides speaking highly of Fonseca, Leao also had kind words for Alvaro Morata and Strahinja Pavlović, his new club teammates. Leao concluded the interview by naming his top three Portuguese players of all time: Ronaldo, Eusébio, and Figo. If he follows Ibrahimović’s advice and makes the expected leap in quality, future young Portuguese stars might include Leao among the top Portuguese football legends. Whatever happens, the next season will reveal whether Rafa Leao is made of the right material. Having resolved his issues with Sporting and debts, and with fatherhood approaching, a season with more than 20 goals could be the ‘icing on the cake‘.##NAJAVA_MECA_8242054##
