As close to a flawless winger archetype as you could get, but what makes him so unstoppable?
[a deep dive into his profile.]
Throughout football history, nearly every single profile you can imagine has existed in some form or another.
Different strengths, weaknesses, body types, mental qualities etc. form different profiles, each with their own necessary value to a team.
With the margins in football getting smaller, it necessitates ‘game-breaker’ profiles, with exceptional physical, technical or mental capabilities in order to gain crucial advantages at the highest level.
One of these ‘game-breakers’, however, goes beyond conventional player profiles, destroying logic.
Enter, Rafael Leão.
Legs: the most important physical asset in the sport.
Long legs = creating separation easily through lengthening strides and galloping away from markers. He’s a deadly central ball-carrier in transition or flying away from fullbacks on the touchline.
He’s also capable of shortening stride length and increasing steps against better 1v1 defenders or low blocks too. His unbelievable ball manipulation and natural flair for his height → unstoppable 1v1 threat, able to beat you through raw physicality or delicate skill.
Approaching defenders in settled 1v1s:
- Straight-on, squared hips = no bias to either side when dribbling.
- Upright upper body, head up = defender has no idea what he’ll do (therefore time/space is created).
‘Fixes’ the defender i.e they’re in two minds, since he has the option to go inside/outside.
Now watch him in transition: As noted by George Claydon (@georgescouting on Twitter), one of his main traits is taking many heavy touches (enabled by his stride length), baiting defenders into engaging as the ball seems unprotected before poking it away and leaving them in the dust.
With body feints, he goes all in on tricking the defender, completely shifting his body to one side before exploding off his back foot. Defies his frame and size through his transferral of momentum from foot to foot, effortlessly changing gears and directions to suit the situation.
Wide upper body span → DOMINATES duels; engulfing the ball with his body when contesting smaller defenders. Fantastic hold-up play and shielding of the ball, very adept at target man play if needed.
Body span + height + speed = unbelievable outlet in transition, one-man army.
Core strength? No problem. Rides contact effortlessly before soaking it up and using it against the defender: can withstand being double or even triple-marked. Shrugs off defenders with ease, most are hardly even obstacles to him on his flank.
Oh, and maybe you thought he wasn’t agile or had poor balance just because he’s 6’2 and broad-framed? Nope. Dodges opponents like it’s nothing, weaves through gaps in split-seconds. Absolutely superhuman physical profile, it should be impossible to have his agility, build and frame at the same time.
Ballstriking: possibly the most useful attribute in attackers and becoming ever-more valuable in the modern game.
Leão’s ballstriking capacity is unbelievable, allows him to attempt any pass or shot. Already a master at inswinging crosses from the left and shots from central/left zones.
In terms of when he arrives into shooting positions, he matches himself to the ball with ease → sets himself up optimally for the shot.
Creating separation easily = time to choose a finish (almost always makes the right decision). Incredible range of finishes, can evolve to be so deadly in front of goal.
As you could probably tell by now, his close control is completely abnormal for his size. He maintains the ball within his shoulder span (making it easier to manipulate), while always keeping the defender on their toes, constantly forcing them to readjust before beating them.
His gifts don’t just end at physical and technical attributes though…
Almost defies time, everything seems to go at a slower pace for him due to his game IQ, decision-making and pausa + his ability to create space for himself with no help.
Such an unselfish winger, TOP wide creator from crosses, cutbacks and through balls. Almost always recognises teammates in a better position than himself after taking on his man, usually has the skill to pull it off too. Teammates’ dream with his pass-first mentality.
Ambipedal ballstriking + creative passing/crossing + straight line ball-carrying + PnP + 1v1 dominator + height = HUGE zone of influence, can hurt you from literally anywhere, in any way. Instinctive yet calculated.
Combination of all his attributes → comfortable in any attacking zone/role. Could easily be a wide playmaker/inside forward/striker if he needed to be, invaluable versatility. Should evolve into a striker as his athleticism declines.
Primary concerns about him revolve around his attitude and lack of effort on the pitch, but those doubts are heavily exaggerated, he’s shown exceptional willingness to help the team and improved his work-rate throughout the past few months.
Hasn’t even hit his best level yet, needs a proper training ground coach and a top team structure to iron out the inefficiencies/inconsistencies in his game and maximise his strengths.
Once that happens… only Mbappé can compete with him for the Ballon d’Or.
No defender can contain him. No game-state can subdue him. Comfortable in any situation that any team could throw at him.
Rafael Leão. Game-breaker, SUPERSTAR in every sense of the word, a true anomaly among anomalies…
…all with a smile on his face.
Thanks for reading and hopefully you enjoyed this piece. Any support massively appreciated.
