Marcos Leonardo faces difficult start at Ajax

Ajax striker Marcos Leonardo is facing a difficult period following his high-profile transfer to the club. Despite having scored over one hundred professional goals for previous clubs including Santos, Benfica, and Al-Hilal, the 24-year-old Brazilian has struggled to find the net in the Eredivisie.

Leonardo has recently been relegated to the bench, falling behind competitors such as Tolu Arokodare and Kasper Dolberg in the team hierarchy. Columnist Menno Pot has drawn comparisons to a young Zlatan Ibrahimovic, noting that Leonardo appears to be struggling with frustration and a loss of control during match opportunities.

Despite the criticism, Ajax technical director Jordi Cruijff remains supportive. Cruijff stated that missing chances often indicates a player is in the right position, expressing confidence that Leonardo's scoring drought is merely a matter of time. Former Ajax players Ronald de Boer and Hedwiges Maduro have also called for patience regarding the striker's adaptation to the club.