“He's a big conundrum. He's just putting on a show, but he doesn't know football!”

Rafael Leao has seven goals scored in 14 games played in the current championship and has influenced three AC Milan goals in his last four appearances in the rossonero league. The top scorer of Massimiliano Allegri's team is Christian Pulisici, the eighth American, in the same number of appearances.

Alessandro 'Billy' Costacurta is among those who believe that the Portuguese international has undervalued his talent and potential. The former great defender of AC Milan, with 23 trophies in 663 matches (2 goals and 6 assists), third in the club's all-time list, mercilessly criticized Rafa Leao.

Costacurta: “In football, beauty must be effective, therefore interesting. Leao is no longer a child at 27!”

“I'm not a fan of Leao, I wasn't from the very beginning, since he was 19 and some considered him a future Ballon d'Or winner.

I have played alongside many Ballon d'Or winners, all of whom are people who put their talent at the service of the team. But Leao… wait, I'm trying to find the right adjective… well, enigmatic. Leao is enigmatic.

Rafael Leao, in the shirt of AC Milan / PHOTO: Imago Images

I never understood if the things he does are ends in themselves. He is, in fact, a showman. That's exactly the point: in football, beauty must also be effective, therefore interesting.

And, in addition, Leao is no longer a child, in June he will be 27 years old, not 20″, said Alessandro Costacurta in the interview published by Corriere dello Sport. He also referred in a question to the novelty brought by Cristi Chivu.

Chivu is smart, he could make a great coach. He's a chameleon, I love how he modulates the team's tactical approach within the same match. The answers he gives when he's live with us on Sky are also great. Chivu intrigues me
– Alessandro Costacurta, AC Milan legend and Sky Sport Italia analyst