Rafael Leao risks losing not only his starting spot at AC Milan but also any potential of a future together with the club, a report claims.
La Gazzetta dello Sport begin a report by pointing out that in just over a month, Leao will celebrate his 27th birthday. He has spent seven years at Milan, after a season in France and his debut with Sporting CP, the club he left after a long-distance lawsuit costing a hefty amount.
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Leao’s professional and family life also includes a Scudetto, a Champions League semi-final, and two twins, who made him a father over a year and a half ago. Everything is in place to be considered Rafa at the peak of his personal and sporting maturity.
For this reason, Milan are now ‘tired of waiting’ for him to become a reliable player, abandoning the inconsistent talent he is today. Even more so when it’s no longer a matter of one good game and one not so good, but a long series of lacklustre performances.
His last goal dates back over two months. In Verona he stood out for his assist to Adrien Rabiot, but has since been jeered off the field multiple times, a sign that the fans have also begun to lose their patience.
Allegri to his defence
While Massimiliano Allegri had always insisted on keeping Leao, considering him the most dynamic player in the attack, Leao is very much at risk now. Max will only begin tactical work today ahead of the game against Atalanta but the Portuguese risks losing a starting spot.
More than his shooting inaccuracies, which are understandable, it’s his lack of competitive spirit that’s the reason for his possible exclusion. Leao isn’t a player who can be counted on for work rate or a winger to be expected to track back and help the defence.
This stage of the season requires extra sacrifice, and Rafa has too often missed the opportunity to prove himself as a perfect team player. On the contrary, he’s often been upset about substitutions, being too slow (like against Lazio) or playing on the other end of the pitch (against Juve).
He deleted his Instagram account due to excessive criticism and has consistently avoided offering explanations in post-match interviews. Allegri, on the other hand, has always defended him publicly, saving the harshest moments for private exchanges at Milanello.
Lack of application
Upon the resumption of training at Milanello, the coach appealed to everyone’s sense of responsibility, confirming his intention to focus on those who can offer a guarantee of commitment. Rafa has four days to convince him, but he starts behind Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez.
The end of the season could be the his last showcase for the Rossoneri, before a separation that seems increasingly obvious. Leao has been a Rossoneri player since the summer of 2019: he played 289 games for Milan, 219 of which were starts, scoring 80 goals and only two from the penalty spot.
He won the 2022 Scudetto as the league’s best player, and a year later he was among the team’s key players in the run to the Champions League final four. It has now been discovered that this was the moment when Chelsea made a written offer of €100m.
Then came a decline, with few further peaks. Neither his compatriots Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceiçao nor a master manager like Allegri were able to achieve consistent performances. As a centre-forward, Rafa scored nine goals. As of early May, he has yet to reach double figures.
Even the excuse of a change of position no longer holds water: with his determination in the early months, Rafa had recorded good numbers, even without accelerating down the flank. Lately, even on the rare occasions when he had rediscovered his comfort zone on the left, he had seemed held back.
The future
Despite a contract that ties him until 2028 (with a record salary of €7m net per season, bonuses included), the club will not only evaluate but will even try to encourage potential offers that arrive from other clubs.
At the end of the season, Leao will join the Portuguese national team for the World Cup in the Americas. It is a potential stage for him to show everyone what he can do, even if Rafa isn’t shining for his country either.
He’s started only 23 of his 47 matches for Portugal, and has scored just five goals, the last of which came in November 2024. Roberto Martinez is unlikely to consider him a starter going into the tournament given how many forwards he can call upon.
Something needs to happen that gives him new value, or Milan risk selling him even at a low price. The €170m release clause is currently way above his actual worth. An asking price of €50-60m is much more likely.
Cool. But will they sign Osimhen to replace him? Or even a top talent that will cost 50M? Or it will be more like Fullkrug or Pinamonti? If it is one of the later better keep Leao.
Agreed. We can’t trust the management on this. I think the best replacement would be Antonio Nusa.
Not bad, but I would take Rashford.
Rashford? He is like Leao but grumpy. Why would you pick him put of all players? Leao at least smiles. 😂
I would keep Leao, but just talking replacement in case he leaves, because honestly having been forced to play as a CF all seasons and the fans still boo him, I wouldn’t blame him if he decides to leaves.
We all know know Leao’s shortcomings, but for the first time I feel the criticism towards him might be exaggerated. Is it a coincidence that all our attackers are struggling? Allegri should be booed as well.
Yea get rid of him after him having an injury railed season and also the fact that he kept being played as a striker cuz allergri thinks he’s Kean
Milan missed the perfect opportunity to cash out on him in Jan. I kept repeating here he has to be sold…
Fire Allegri and let the next manager decide. Leao is far more important to the club than that bald fraud
Allegri is a Scudetto winning coach for Milan who turned the squad around from last season’s disaster.
Show some f’ing respect or find another team.
Like Como?
“Show some f’ing respect or find another team.”
LOL. Yeah, follow the Only And Only True Fan (aka MH) and start supporting Como. Then you can come back and bash everyone else for being lousy fans. That will pump up your ego.
Shouldn’t need to keep pointing out that fans don’t slag off the manager and players.
Stop. It’s hard to take you seriously anymore because you lack objectivity.
It’s hard to take anyone seriously who spends their entire time insulting the manager and the players of the team they allegedly support.
But apparently that’s what gets you street cred around here.
I fear it’s time.
It’s not just his lack of goals but he’s just not been in games.
Whether it’s physical, psychological or tactical, it just can’t continue.
Part of me thinks he should stay as known quantity who might return to his potential.
But the other part of me thinks it’s time to say goodbye.
Given there’s 5 poorly performing strikers, on balance it might be best to keep him an Pulisic, and to give them one more chance next to a top striker where they’re under less pressure to score.
semprecomo.com
Why are you still here?
The lack of reading comprehension skills on here are nearly as bad as the lack of understanding of what being a fan of an actual football involves.
Yeah. You really don’t get it as you turned your back to the club and chose Como instead. Perfect example.
Being a fan is starting to root for competitors when the club you claim to support is too active on the transfermarket. Yeah. We get it. 😂😂😂😂😂
he really shouldve left with hernandez to rot in saudi.
still cant forgive him for his stinking attitude in previous games with hernandez.
both not team players.
And yes Allegri is one of the most successful managers in italy but its more entertaining watching paint dry than watching milan in the last 3 months. something needs to change and i cant see allegri changing
– I would drop Leao and try 442 with Santi and Puli. – Bulk up the midfield with Rabs, Fofana, Jasahri and whoever can play on the Right (maybe RLC)
– Play Bart/Pavlo, Gabbia, KDW, Athekame at the back.
Doing the same thing and expecting a different result is madness.
Alexis can play on the right.
Leão is not being dropped. He is Allegri’s type of player. I predict he’ll get a goal, sooner or later and all will be well.