Tolu Arokodare shines for Ajax, but celebrates Marcos Leonardo’s moment
Tolu Arokodare delivered another standout performance for Ajax on Thursday, scoring twice and providing an assist in a commanding 6-1 Conference League victory over FC Midtjylland. Yet when the striker spoke to Ziggo Sport after the match, he revealed that one of his happiest moments came after he had left the pitch.
That moment belonged to Marcos Leonardo. Introduced as Arokodare’s replacement in the 70th minute, the Brazilian forward scored Ajax’s sixth goal, marking his third strike for the club. Asked whether Leonardo’s finish had been the goal Arokodare was most pleased to see, the 25-year-old smiled before admitting it was.
“How do you know that?” Arokodare joked. “That’s true. After he scored, I said I couldn’t deny that it was perfect now.”
A team-first response after another prolific night
Arokodare’s reaction offered a glimpse of the positive atmosphere within Ajax’s squad. The Nigerian forward had every reason to focus on his own contribution: two goals, an assist and another influential display in a European competition. Instead, he used the post-match interview to praise a teammate who is competing for minutes in the same forward line.
He said Leonardo’s effort was about more than the goal itself. Arokodare had noticed the substitute continuing to press the Midtjylland defence late in the game, even after Ajax had established a substantial lead.
“As I’ve said in previous interviews, he works hard,” Arokodare explained. “Many people might not have noticed that after he made it 6-1, he was still pressing hard, even in the 92nd minute. I told him that showed a good mentality.”
The striker also stressed that individual scoring totals should not take priority over the team’s success. “This is a team sport. If I don’t score, hopefully Leo does. And if Leo doesn’t score, hopefully the other players do. If everyone scores, the team wins. I just hope for the best for the whole team.”
Why Leonardo’s goal mattered to Ajax
Leonardo’s late finish was a small but useful boost for a player looking to establish himself in a competitive attack. A goal can help a forward settle into a new role, build confidence and turn training performances into greater opportunities. The timing also gave Ajax a positive closing note in a match that had already been decided.
Arokodare’s public support may matter just as much. Strikers are often measured by goals and can be viewed as direct rivals for selection, but a strong forward partnership depends on more than individual statistics. Encouragement between teammates can help create trust, particularly when players are competing for the same position and adapting to changing roles during a long season.
For Ajax, having multiple forwards capable of contributing is important across domestic and European football. Injuries, fixture congestion and tactical changes can quickly alter a team’s attacking options. If Leonardo gains confidence while Arokodare continues to produce, the club could benefit from greater depth rather than relying on one player to carry the scoring burden.
Ronald de Boer praises Arokodare’s attitude
Former Netherlands international and analyst Ronald de Boer described Arokodare’s comments as typical of the striker, saying they reflected a healthy group dynamic. He suggested the praise sounded sincere rather than like a carefully chosen public statement.
“It gives you a bit of an insight into the group process and shows that the group dynamic is good,” De Boer said. He added that Arokodare’s willingness to praise a teammate who is also competing for a place made the comments especially notable.
De Boer also pointed to the striker’s confidence and growing output. Arokodare has scored 12 goals so far this season, having managed six last season. He has previously said he wants to triple that previous total, setting a target of at least 18 goals. With his current tally already well beyond last season’s return, he is on course to reach that ambition if his form continues.
“At the moment, he’s the undisputed number one,” De Boer said, underlining Arokodare’s importance to Ajax’s attack. The striker’s latest performance strengthened that standing, while his comments about Leonardo showed that he is thinking beyond his own place in the team.
What Ajax’s performance could mean next
A 6-1 European victory provides more than a boost to the scoreline. A convincing result can raise confidence across the squad, reward attacking combinations and give the coaching staff evidence that their forwards can contribute in different ways. Arokodare’s goals and assist demonstrated his direct threat, while Leonardo’s late strike offered a reminder that Ajax can find solutions from the bench.
That balance could be valuable as the schedule continues. Ajax are due to return to domestic action against Midtjylland on November 8, 2026, while a listed Superleague fixture against SON follows on November 9. With matches arriving close together, squad rotation and the form of reserve players may become increasingly important.
Any football prediction about Ajax’s next run of results should be treated cautiously: one big win does not guarantee consistency. Still, the combination of Arokodare’s scoring form, Leonardo’s growing confidence and the apparent unity within the squad gives the club encouraging signs. If Ajax can carry that energy into their upcoming fixtures, their attack may become more difficult for opponents to contain.
For Arokodare, the evening was a personal success and a team achievement. His goals helped power Ajax to a convincing win, but his reaction to Leonardo’s finish revealed a broader measure of his contribution: a confident striker who can celebrate a teammate’s success as enthusiastically as his own.
