Striker Leonardo (26, Brazil) expressed his view that Korean professional football is the best in East Asia if he wants to advance to a high-level European stage.

In an interview published on the Chinese portal site ‘Sina.com’ as its own sports content on the 17th, Leonardo said, “In the K-League, physical matches are more important (than other East Asian club football). He naturally becomes a better player physically.”

From February to December 2022, Leonardo recorded 14 points and 6 assists in 43 games, including the Cup, as a member of Ulsan Hyundai. Since then, he has been playing in the Chinese Super League (first division), such as ▲ Changchun Yatai ▲ Shandong Taishan ▲ Zhejiang FC.

Leonardo is playing in the 2022 K League 1 game for Ulsan Hyundai. Photo = Provided by the Korea Professional Football Federation
“This physical advantage is the basis for playing in a strong European team,” said Leonardo. This is why the number of players from Korea and the K-League who play in world-class soccer teams is the highest in Asia.”

He also had a good 0.69 attack point per 90 minutes in the Korean First Division, but in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League preliminary round, he excelled even more with 3 points and 2 assists in 7 games.메이저사이트

Leonardo was impressive in scoring involvement in the Asian club competition, recording an average of 1.06 goals or assists per full-time in Ulsan.

In the Chinese Super League, 40 games in 2021 and 2023, 17 points and 5 assists. Leonardo said, “Like Brazil, it is an atmosphere that pays attention to individual abilities. The entire club, including colleagues, coaches, staff, and management, takes care of and protects the star player.”

Leonardo conquered the lower leagues by successively winning the top scorer in the 2018 J3 League and the 2019 J2 League. “Japanese football is comprehensive. The frontline striker or goalkeeper is also asked to play a role for the entire team, such as not only shooting and saving, but also defending.”

Leonardo said, “Maybe I’m Brazilian, so I’m most comfortable in China (in sports, where individualism is strong).” He advised, “(If you have a strong tendency to think of yourself as more important than the organization), the Japanese stage will feel the most difficult in East Asian football.” .