Pioli praises AC Milan star linked with Arsenal and Man United moves

Leao scored four goals and assisted one more for Milan in April

FOOTBALL Pioli praises AC Milan star linked with Arsenal and Man United moves

Mark Kinyanjui 15:10 - 19.04.2023

The forward dazzled on Tuesday night against Napoli.

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli insists that his Portuguese star, Rafael Leao is becoming 'a champion' after the winger helped the Rossoneri get to the semi-finals of the Champions League with a stellar performance against Napoli.

Leao, 23, produced a Man of the Match performance on Tuesday night, as he burst at pace through the Napoli defense like a hot knife through butter, before squaring it to Olivier Giroud who slammed the ball into the back of the net.

Victor Oshimen, who has been on unstoppable form this season for the Naples-based side, pulled one back for the hosts, but it was not enough to overcome the reigning Serie A champions.

Pioli said, “We are enjoying everything about Leo. Today, we asked him to help out more defensively and he did it. Rafa is becoming a champion.

“It is up to him because for someone with that much talent and skill both technically and physically, it is just a matter of how much effort he puts in.”

Leao has been a key figure for Milan over the last two seasons at the club. After a slow start to life after signing from Lille, it appeared as if Milan had wasted money on yet another attacking talent after both Kristoff Piatek and Andre Silva struggled to perform.

After Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticized him, claiming he could not manage to get his head around him, Leao started improving, and his performances earned him Serie A’s most valuable player award as he helped them win their first Scudetto title since 2011.

Those performances have naturally attracted some of Europe’s biggest giants, including Manchester United and Arsenal.