Player focus: Leo Scienza
Leo Scienza is the alchemist on Southampton’s wing and had the end product to match: 10 goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season.
He’s a joy to watch. The Brazilian looked right at home against Arsenal in the last round. And he has a fascinating backstory.
He has previously described his life as being like a ‘movie’. The 27-year-old has overcome immense personal tragedy, including the passing of his father on his 20th birthday, his grandfather’s death in a plane crash. At one stage he was contemplating suicide.
He played in the fifth tier of Sweden, sleeping on a mattress in the floor of a basement and not even being paid the €500 per month that he was promised.
But the forward – a devout Christian – made his name in Germany, breaking into the Bundesliga with Heidenheim, and joined Southampton over the summer.

