This morning, reports emerged stating that Rafael Leao is anticipated to be a substitute for AC Milan’s upcoming game against Napoli at San Siro.
This development has sparked new speculation about his position and prospects within the team. Calciomercato.com revealed that Leao did not feature in the starting eleven during the last Serie A match against Udinese and was also substituted off after 60 minutes in the recent game against Club Brugge.
The decisions made by manager Paulo Fonseca indicate a willingness to make bold and resolute choices.
Fonseca’s goal is to implement his methods at Milanello and throughout the squad by following a fundamental rule: only players who are in optimal condition and completely dedicated to the team’s triumphs, rather than personal ambitions, will be selected to play.
So far this season, there has been a lack of strong rapport between Leao and Fonseca. Leao was initially left out of the starting XI following a subpar performance against Parma.
As a result, he remained on the bench for the subsequent match against Lazio at Stadio Olimpico. Amid a cooling interval, tensions were observed to have escalated, indicating a potential discord.
The trend persisted when Leao was substituted in matches against Venezia and Inter, exhibiting visible signs of frustration. Similar events occurred during the Fiorentina game, reinforcing the belief that Fonseca might be targeting him.
With his recent difficulties in focus, there is speculation about Leao’s future, including a potential return of interest from Barcelona given the strong relationship between his agent, Jorge Mendes, and the club.
However, no definitive developments have surfaced at this time. Leao is under contract with AC Milan until 2028, with a €100m release clause.
Given Barcelona’s financial limitations, they are expected to focus on pursuing Raphinha over Leao. Currently, Leao’s optimal course of action might involve efforts aimed at restoring favor with Milan.
