Rafa returns to the center of the project with a new attitude: more aware, generous and decisive in leading the group. The former Real Madrid celebrates it publicly
Rafa doesn’t surf because it’s no longer the time for high waves, the Rossoneri sea is calmer than ever: the time of storms is over, now it’s time to enjoy the record and the celebration of San Siro. AC Milan, decimated by troubles, overturned Fiorentina and moved to the top of the Serie A standings. AC Milan, the 2022 Italian champions, found their driving force in Leao, a technical leader who was later recognized as the best player in the championship. Leaders Milan return to the highest peak again thanks to Rafa, once again among the team’s technical leaders. Modric draws applause from the stadium for his recoveries and is generous enough to let the most enveloping roar be reserved for Leao. Rafa hadn’t scored here in Serie A for 512 days, a sporting eternity. He did it the last time in Milan-Salernitana 3-3, 25 May 2024, last on Stefano Pioli’s Rossoneri bench. Here it is Pioli again, now in purple: Rafa, who had always been pampered by the former coach, responds with two slaps, leaving the former maestro at the bottom of the table. Leao and Milan, on the other hand, fly: to think that Max had called Gimenez from the bench, with Santi ready to replace. For Rafa? What happens next changes the plans: Fiorentina scores and Allegri responds with the two strikers.
First penalty
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Leao thus remained in action and 8′ after the Viola’s lead he equalized the score with a right-footed shot from distance. There is no time for celebrations, Milan starts again in search of victory. Rafa conquers it with an unprecedented goal, a penalty. A deep breath and off you go, network. It is the first successful penalty of his career, not just the Rossoneri one. At Milan he brought his goal tally to 72, and struck from 11 meters for the first time. But, at the age of 26, it is also the first penalty ever scored: in March 2023 he missed his only shot with the Portuguese national team. Not bad: his national team had still managed six against Luxembourg. To find the goals from the penalty spot you have to go back to the youth selections: Rafa hit Italy with the Under 17s and then Finland with the Under 19s. Among the greats, it is the first penalty scored (even if there is a precedent for the Rossoneri, in the infinite sequence with Rio Ave in the 2020-21 Europa League play-offs, which does not provide statistics but which the fans remember: Rafa shot for ninth and scored). Thus, Leao scores a double: it hasn’t happened since June 2023. A joy that would deserve a striptease, he must have thought: to avoid a warning, Gabbia is ready to take his shirt away. Meanwhile, the South explodes and will do the same when the name of the marker has to be chanted, to which a chorus is then dedicated.
Fantastic
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Rafa says: “I dedicate this evening to my family and my teammates who have always helped me, there is a good atmosphere in the team: we won as a true group. I want to continue like this, on a personal and team level. When I arrived at Milanello, Modric hugged me and said he wanted to help me grow, I hope for many assists from him.” Luka reciprocates: “Rafa is fantastic, I’ve been waiting to play with him, this is the player we need. An extraordinary talent, for me one of the best in the world and he can still grow. It’s only up to him, I hope these goals help him increase his confidence.” Rafa also attempts a sprint at the end, only to then touch his thigh and calf and ask for a change: no alarms, at least judging by what happens next. Leao hugs his friends behind the bench and then runs to the fans, jumping to the chants, with such a wide smile.
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