PortuGOAL Figure of the Week: Casa Pia left-back Leonardo Lelo continues to shine ahead of Braga switch
Liga Portugal is no stranger to producing top full-backs – From Fábio Coentrão to Alex Sandro to Nuno Mendes to Alejandro Grimaldo but despite the involvement of these names at the upper echelons of European football, this talent is not limited to the traditionally recognised ‘Big 3’ of Sporting Clube de Portugal, Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Futebol Clube do Porto.
Casa Pia’s Leonardo Lelo is another quality left-sided full-back entering the prime years of his career at the age of 25, flying the flag high for the Gansos as one of the most underrated players in the division. The former Portugal youth international has cemented himself among the top operators down the left flank, demonstrated by his two assists in Casa Pia’s recent 2-1 victory over Rio Ave.
The Man of the Match is the PortuGOAL Figure of the Week. Kevin Fernandes reports.
Lelo destroys Rio Ave
His first decisive intervention came in the form of an accurate pull-back after exploiting the width with exquisite timing. Shoutout to Cassiano for his 9th league goal, placing him in the top five for 2024/25 Liga Portugal goalscorers.
His second contribution arrived from the set-pieces he specialises in – in this instance, a lofty corner teleported onto the head of his defensive partner, Duplexe Tchamba. One of five chances created by Leonardo Lelo in this encounter.
Making his way north
Leonardo Filipe Cruz Lelo initiated his footballing journey in his hometown of Olhão and neighbouring Faro on the south coast of Portugal, notably representing former top-flight staple Olhanense and Liga Portugal 2 strugglers Portimonense.
A short passage through José Mourinho’s beloved Vitória FC in Setúbal foreshadowed his eventual relocation to Pina Manique where he has helped catapult Casa Pia to new heights.
???????? Leonardo Lelo no SC Braga… ???? ????????????????́???????????? ????????????????́ ???? ????????????????????????!
— Sebastião Sousa-Pinto (@sebsousapinto) January 14, 2025
Lateral é reforço dos minhotos apenas na próxima temporada, e chegará livre, uma vez que o seu contrato com o Casa Pia expira no final da época. pic.twitter.com/0h1ccL1tlO
From the south to central Portugal and next stop is up north. Lelo has agreed to reinforce Sporting Clube de Braga’s uninspired and depleted defensive unit at the end of his contract that expires this summer.
Braga have experienced what they are getting from Leonardo Lelo first-hand, the left-back scoring a brilliant long-range effort at the Quarry last season.
Firing Casa Pia to new heights
This will be devastating for Casa Pia, as Leonardo Lelo is a staple of their most successful period since the decade of the club’s formation around 100 years ago.
The former 2019/20 Campeonato de Portugal Left-Back of the Year helped the Casapianos to promotion in his first season at the club, repeating the feat of being named in the divisional dream team at Liga Portugal 2 level. His name was already written into the history books as Casa Pia hadn’t tasted top-flight football in 83 years.
Since securing promotion, Casa Pia haven’t finished below 10th place. João Pereira’s side require only two points from their remaining seven fixtures to match their highest tally, sitting in 7th place. An impressive feat for the side playing miles away in Rio Maior while their home stadium undergoes continuous work to meet strict regulations and requirements, considering their diminutive budgets in comparison with their first division counterparts.
Captain’s armband
Leonardo Lelo has shown his consistency and maturity throughout. Representing Casa Pia as captain against FC Porto last December, he posted the following statement on Instagram: “Despite the negative result, I will cherish the moment when I made my debut as captain of this club. I’m proud to wear this armband for Casa Pia”.
Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that the dynamic wide player is one of the strongest figures in the dressing room, with strong influence over the players – emulating the example set by experienced figures such as José Fonte.
The winner of the 2023/24 Liga Portugal Fairplay award replicates the quality of a veteran while his prime years are arguably yet to come.
Playstyle
Leonardo Lelo is a dynamic galloping full-back, capable of covering the entire left-hand side and comfortable when operating into central areas, controlling possession and looking for alternative solutions.
Huzurlarınızda LEONARDO LELO...pic.twitter.com/tcKUmcnKOV https://t.co/Jaj0MtySqj
— Avrupa Fatihi (@AvrupaFatihiGSK) December 28, 2023
He is technically refined and secure, showcasing a wand of a left-foot when delivering crosses as a set-piece specialist. Dispatching whipped, pin-point crosses are his bread and butter. 1.49 crosses completed per Liga Portugal appearance with a completion rate of 29.4% put him in the upper echelons, next to the likes of Geovany Quenda and Ángel Di María.
His attacking output is comparable to top-level attackers when looking at numbers for shot-creating passes at the end of the first half of 2024/25 Liga Portugal fixtures. Lelo was rubbing shoulders with the very best forwards in the country, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves, Viktor Gyökeres, Ángel Di María and Félix Correia. This speaks volumes regarding the variety to his play and his ability to combine with teammates.
INCRÍVEL! ????
— GoalPoint (@_Goalpoint) January 13, 2025
MAIS PASSES PARA FINALIZAÇÃO no final da 1ª volta da #LigaPortugal 24/25:
???? 39 Trincão ???????? (#SportingCP)
???? 37 POTE ???????? (#SportingCP) ????????
???? 34 Gyökeres ???????? (#SportingCP)
- - -
33 Di María ???????? (#SLBenfica)
32 Félix Correia ???????? (Gil Vicente)
32 Leonardo Lelo ????????… pic.twitter.com/1W48xqxA2n
With his indefatigable work ethic and potent engine, Lelo is fundamental in efforts to progress the ball. Lelo completed 58.1% of the dribbles he attempts, demonstrating intelligence in ball-carrying efforts with the intensity to attempt them with high frequency without neglecting defensive responsibilities, where he is highly effective in duels.
Leonardo Lelo é o 5º jogador com mais passes para finalização da Liga Betclic (32), a par de Félix Correia, do Gil Vicente.
— Cabine Desportiva (@CabineSport) January 14, 2025
Bom reforço do Braga?
Via: @_Goalpoint https://t.co/bDj1xy6whC pic.twitter.com/QDIDlSHVDX
Leonardo Lelo has demonstrated the capacity to operate in both four and five-man defences, showcasing impressive tactical nous and versatility.
He is worthy of greater ambitions, which he will find at Sporting Clube de Braga who are constantly in pursuit of breaching the hegemony of Porto, Benfica and Sporting. Lelo is suited offensively to fluid combination play while naturally well versed in transitional play.
The PortuGOAL Figure of the Week is set to drastically improve Braga (English sides have missed their chance for an undisputed bargain), while poised to guide Casa Pia to their best ever Liga Portugal season.