1. Leandro Damião has not had it easy in his footballing career, struggling to make an impact at youth level and playing for local teams in his hometown of Jardim Alegre. In 2008, aged 19, he switched from a midfield role to centre-forward and made a breakthrough, signing a temporary contract with Santa Catarina side Atlético Tubarão, where his performances would propel him to Atlético Ibirama and then onwards on loan to Internacional, just one year later.
2. Life at Inter was also not easy, as Damião struggled for game-time under manager Celso Roth. In December 2010, when the Gaúcho side were fighting for the Club World Cup, all Damião could manage was a space on the bench. The club then went on to sign high-profile Argentine forward Fernando Cavenaghi, but the 22-year-old Damião blew away the competition with a scoring record that was second-to-none.
3. In the state championships, Inter’s new Number 9 notched 17 goals in 13 games, a feat of scoring that propelled him into the National Team fold. Four goals in eight Libertadores games followed, as well as another 14 goals in an injury disrupted league season. 2011 was truly an unforgettable year for the young striker.
4. Although he possesses all the attributes of your typical target-man, Leandro Damião also combines this with glimpses of Brazilian flair. The striker has the ability to leave defenders standing with a trick, showing astonishing grace and poise for a man of his physical size. The most memorable moment being this incredible trick in an international against Argentina.
5. For more on the style of play of the striker, you can read this impressive Scout Report on The Elastico.
