GdS: Position switches, smiles and show

Rafael Leao put pen to paper on a new contract until 2028 yesterday, with AC Milan keeping hold of their most important player.

A report from La Gazzetta dello Sport write how Leao is everything that was seen in the goal against Sassuolo three years ago, which was the fastest in Serie A history. He has the speed, creativity and the finishing to unlock games on his own, as quick as a flash.

It took Stefano Pioli a while to shape his talent, playing him as a centre-forward, a second striker and then eventually on the left wing, where he has settled into being one of the best in the world in his position.

Pioli has always stressed the importance of Leao enjoying himself on the field, and the smile that appears on his face when he goes on one his trademark runs suggests that he is indeed having fun.

The coach deserves merit but so does Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who put him under his protective wing to make him grow further. "Not even he knows how strong he is," the Swede said, but perhaps now he believes in his abilities.

Leao's world is not just football as he has launched a rap career under the name Way 45, a nod to the area that he grew up. It shows that he has grown in confidence his his landing at Malpensa and the official announcement in August 2019.

Milan and Milano have become his home. When he plays he shows off his usual flair and magic, like the goal against Fiorentina in 2019 which marked his first for the club.

It is the kind of goal we have now become accustomed to, one where he finds gaps that seemingly don't exist and beats multiple men with ease.

Among his best moments with the Rossoneri are the brace in this year's derby, the run against Napoli to square for Giroud at the Maradona, the assists in Reggio Emilia on the day in which Milan won the Scudetto.

There are more stories and memories to be made Pioli: "He was like a father".

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