Leonardo's double goal in the CSL has lifted his foreign player status to a new level. The Brazilian forward, who joined Guangzhou Evergrande from Flamengo earlier this season, scored twice against Jiangsu Sainty on Monday night.
The first goal was a stunning effort that saw him beat two defenders before firing home from close range. The second goal came just moments later as he capitalized on a defensive mistake by Jiangsu's goalkeeper.
Leonardo's performance against Jiangsu was one of the highlights of the CSL season so far and has given him a boost in confidence going into the rest of the campaign. He now sits top of the league with six goals and is firmly established as one of the best strikers in the country.
With his performances in the CSL, Leonardo has also gained international recognition. He has been called up to the Brazil national team for their upcoming friendly match against Japan, which will be held at the Estadio Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro on October 18th.
Leonardo's rise through the ranks of Chinese football has been nothing short of remarkable. He started his career at São Paulo FC before moving to Flamengo where he made a name for himself as one of the most talented forwards in South America.
Since joining Guangzhou Evergrande, Leonardo has shown that he can adapt to different playing styles and environments. His ability to score goals and create chances for his teammates makes him a valuable asset to any team.
As the CSL season continues, it will be interesting to see how Leonardo performs and what kind of impact he will have on the competition. With his current form, there is no doubt that he will continue to be a force to be reckoned with.