Martinez offers Leao praise after difficult Euro 2024 opening: “He gave a lot” | OneFootball

AC Milan winger Rafael Leao has had a difficult start to the European Championship, and maybe it is a hangover of the previous season. However, his boss, Roberto Martinez, has defended the winger, rather than attacking him.

Everyone knows how good Leao can be, and Milan haven’t seen it enough this season, but given he is still so young, we cannot hound him for this, rather, just be critical with our criticisms given there is so much room to improve further.

Without a doubt, the Portuguese star is one of the best in the world in his position, and whilst the goals were set high for this season, perhaps the expectation finally weighed on him.

After all, at 24, he is the face of the Rossoneri and he is going to be the next face of the Portuguese National Team, both hold a very heavy weight, and it is therefore understandable why he may have succumbed to that pressure slightly.

Before Portugal’s Round of 16 fixture against Slovenia, Martinez took the time to defend the youngster when speaking to Record, and his words have been relayed by Milan News.

“It’s our responsibility to put Rafael in the best positions, to give him space so that he can put his football into practice. But I was very impressed, he gave us a lot in the first two games, especially with Turkey.”