Rafael Leão
Full name: Rafael Alexandre da Conceição Leão
Country: Portugal/Angola
Date of birth: 10/06/1999 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Almada (Portugal)
Height: 186cm
Youth career: Sporting CP
Current club: Sporting CP
Squad number: —
Current national team: Portugal U-18
Position: winger, second striker, striker
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship (5/0), UEFA Youth League 2016/2017 (2/0)
Contract until: 30.06.2018
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Strengths:
– pace 
– acceleration
– athleticism
– finishing
– heading 
– dribbling 
– power
– decisions
– ambidexterity 
Weaknesses:
– needs more composure in finishing situations and still has margin to improve his decision taking on the ball
– defensive contribution
Style of play:
– complete forward
– player with good body mass ratio, physical strength, power, stamina and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations
– versatile forward who is capable of playing anywhere along the front line
– likes to dribble
– gets fouled often
– possesses powerful and accurate shot with both feet
– extremely dangerous on the counter thanks to his blistering pace and acceleration
– likes to try to beat offside trap
– often uses his skills to beat defenders, cut inside and create himself a decent opportunity to score from
– aerial threat in the opposition box
– very strong in 1v1 situations, unpredictable and very confident of his skills
– good ability at first touch/high speed in 1-2 combinations style of play thanks to his technique, physical strength and ball control
– indirect set-piece threat
– excellent balance and changes of pace
– often makes surging runs into penalty box
– creative at his off-the-ball movements, and likes to find the best space to receive the ball with good timings
– all-action and energetic
He is best suited to playing as:
Striker in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship winner with Portugal.
League summary (as for 14 October 2016):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Rafael Leão is a product of Sporting Clube de Portugal youth system – one of the most renowned academies in the world, that has continuously developed many world class footballers, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Nani, Ricardo Quaresma, Simão Sabrosa, João Moutinho and Rui Patrício. Rafael is another great Sporting youth graduate tipped to follow in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessors. He is also a regular youth international for Portugal. In 2016, he was part of the Portugal team that won the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in a convincing manner.
Quotes:
—
Football Talent Scout potential rating:
9/10 
Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.
Links: