Leao wows to outshine 'Kvaradona'

NAPLES, Italy — Rafael Leao isn't quite ready to relinquish his slalom title to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

It was the Portuguese winger — not the Georgian dribbling wonder — who was more successful at weaving his way around defenders in their three-week showdown.

Leao carried AC Milan past Napoli and the player Napoli fans have nicknamed "Kvaradona" — in reference to club legend Diego Maradona — into the Champions League semifinals, after also helping rout the runaway Serie A leader 4-0 in the Italian league.

"We're enjoying everything about Leao," Milan coach Stefano Pioli said after a 1-1 draw in the second leg on Tuesday enabled the Rossoneri to advance 2-1 on aggregate.

"Today we asked him to help out more defensively and he did it. Rafa is becoming a champion and that's what he'll become. It's up to him, because for someone with that much talent and skill, both technically and physically, it's just a matter of how much effort he puts in."

The decisive goal of the Champions League series came when Leao took the ball from Milan's own half and slalomed his way through Napoli's defense before unselfishly crossing for Olivier Giroud to score into an empty net after pulling the goalkeeper out of position.

First, Leao burst past Tanguy Ndombele, then cut inside to evade Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and muscled centerback Amir Rrahmani to the ground before finding Giroud.

"I always try to take opponents on and run at them. I know I can make the difference like that," Leao said. "If I'm unable to score a goal, I seek out my teammates. So when I got past the defenders, I saw Giroud and I knew he could finish it off."

Even though he was the one who scored, Giroud playfully acted as if he were shining Leao's boot during their goal celebration. "Rafa did everything," Giroud acknowledged.

Leao was voted Serie A MVP last season when he helped Milan end an 11-year title drought in the Italian league. But he seemed bothered for stretches earlier this season amid extensive contract extension talks that still have not been concluded. His contract expires after next season.

"I'm very happy to be here," Leao said. "I did well in Serie A last season and I wanted to show what I could do well in the Champions League, too. I think I'm doing that."

Leao also scored twice in Milan's 4-0 win at Napoli on April 2 and was involved in Ismael Bennacer's goal in Milan's first-leg win.

The performances were reminiscent of when Leao set up all three goals as Milan won 3-0 at Sassuolo last May to clinch the Serie A "scudetto" (championship).

So it's no wonder Leao is being valued at 80 million euros ($88 million) on the transfer market, and why the contract discussions with Milan sporting director Paolo Maldini have dragged on.

Leao is just 23, as is Milan playmaker Brahim Diaz, who is developing quite a feeling for playing with the Portugal winger.

Milan also needs to decide if it can afford the 25 million euros that Real Madrid has set as the price tag to purchase Diaz on a permanent basis after three seasons on loan from the Spanish power.

For now, the contract decisions can wait.

"Like all the players at this club, we're dreaming of winning the Champions League," Leao said. "We're so close."

Pioli said that he isn't thinking about a potential Milan derby in the Champions League semifinals.

AC Milan is likely to face Inter Milan in the next round, with Inter heading into the second leg of its quarterfinal against Portuguese side Benfica with a 2-0 advantage.

"We're too happy to have overcome such a good team... it's a great feeling," Pioli said. "Let's take it one step at a time. Whoever we get, it will be a great Champions League semifinal."

Agencies via Xinhua