If you’re a silky forward who loves cutting in from the left-hand side, there’s a good chance you’ll be compared to Thierry Henry at some point or another.
David Bellion, Anthony Martial, Kylian Mbappe; They, and many, many more, all burst onto the scenes amid comparisons with the Arsenal legend, albeit with varying degrees of success.
But as Rafael Leao picked up possession on the left wing, breezed past a Sampdoria defender before slotting the most effortless of finishes into the far corner, it was almost impossible not to be reminded of a man who scored goals like this on an almost weekly basis during his Highbury heyday.
“He has the qualities to reach the top of European football – and the world,” AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli beamed after Leao’s wonderful individual goal booted rivals Inter off the summit of the Serie A table (Stadium Astro).
“He reminds me of Henry. Leao is an extraordinary player but he mustn’t rest on his laurels.”
Pioli is not the first to point out that, if the former Sporting Lisbon wonderkid is to make good on his potential, his attitude must match his undoubted ability.
Leao’s work-rate and desire have been questioned on numerous occasions, not least by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Former Sporting coach Tiago Fernandes, meanwhile, warned that ‘complacency’ could stand in the way of a player labelled ‘even better than Cristiano Ronaldo’ during his time in one of Europe’s most feted academies.
But as Leao breezed through the Sampdoria backline to score his tenth of the season – the first time he’s ever reached double figures in a single campaign – it felt like something of a turning point in his young career.
A penny dropped. Complacency replaced by consistency.
Can Rafael Leao emulate Thierry Henry at Arsenal?
“The young Henry is the Leao of today,” adds former Juventus star Alessio Tacchinardi. “The characteristics of the two players are the same. You see the pace and the (ability) one-on-one.
“I was slaughtered on social media for this comparison. But just compare the videos and there’s nothing to say. They’re the same.”
“I don’t see another player in Europe like him. When he shows his power, he can hurt anyone.
“He’s a diamond in the rough but pure. There is no better team than Milan for his explosion. Within one, maximum two years, Leao will be a star of the new generation of football.”
Will he stay?
It remains to be seen whether Leao agrees with Tacchinardi’s view that an up-and-coming, tight-knit Milan is the ideal destination for one of Europe’s most fearsome young talents to realise his potential.
According to La Repubblica, Arsenal are currently leading the race for his sought-after signature ahead of what could be a fraught transfer window for Rossoneri supporters.
But could the so-called ‘new Henry’ live up to the original? On current form, he certainly looks more Mbappe than Bellion at least.
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