Stephan El Shaarawy scored all the goals and won all the praise at the end of 2012. It was his time.More than two years later, the glory is all gone. Injuries have stalled his career.And so, he must make a decision: to stay at AC Milan and rebuild his career, or move on.But he wont give up like that. He is committed to the Milan cause, however tough it may be.He wrote on Instagram (h/t Football Italia):I think the real victory is to believe, always, in every situation. Get back up and fight. If you believe, then you can achieve and win, because only you know what youve been through, what you have given and how much you sacrificed to get where you are.[...]I will continue giving all that I can (and even more) for this jersey and this sport, which is my life. Dedication to work and the readiness to make sacrifices are characteristics that I have never lacked. Now more than ever, mental strength and positivity will help me to come back stronger, I hope as soon as possible.These are the words of someone who has missed 47 league games over the past two seasons. He has suffered injuries to both his left and right foot, spending months out of action.For that to happen so early in his career, when doubts are thickest, is especially trying. He has had to answer questions about his future, whether he will stay in Italy or go abroadandhow he will ever be the player he once was.He was supposed to guide Milan out of this darkness. He was supposed to be the main man.Thats why there is even more pressure on El Shaarawy. The fans are not at peace. They are already protesting the team at home games, staying away or propping up banners if they are there.The 22-year-old Italian has to prove to them again that he is not the next Alexandre Pato, a false hope of things to come.Pato had all the potential to be a world-class striker in Europe. He scored 51 goals in 117 games for the Rossoneri,but he could not stay healthy. He was rushed into action too soonand just like that, he was out again.The Brazilian is a cautionary tale for both Milan and El Shaarawy. He cannot re-enter the fray so quickly.Just recently, he started running and dribbling with the ball, per Milan Channel (h/t Football Italia), and he is targeting a return within three weeks. El Shaarawy has already had the terrible experience of aggravating an injury. In December 2013this time recovering from a knock to his left foothe made his comeback, only to go down with the same problem.Its not all on the player. Milan have to give El Shaarawy the right environment in which to thrive.Only then can he show his true self and perhaps score the goals that made fans fall in love with him in the first place.Even if hes a winger and not an out-and-out striker, there is now an expectation that he will get on the scoresheet. Those 16 goals in 2012-13 look like a fluke right now: he has to show everyone that they are not.
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