New decision from Milan regarding Rafael Leão's contract renewal
Portuguese star Rafael Leão is experiencing his toughest period with Italian club AC Milan, as the relationship between the two parties appears to have reached a dead end after years of brilliance.
Despite the player's attempts to motivate himself and his followers through social media with slogans of a strong comeback, the pitch has revealed a completely different reality, especially after the recent match against Udinese which saw unprecedented whistles from the Rossoneri fans.
The Udinese match was not just a fleeting stumble for Leão, but many considered it a negative turning point in the player's career, which has spanned seven seasons with the team.
Leão, who played as a pure striker for a portion of the match, failed to leave his usual mark and made several technical errors that angered the crowds at the "San Siro" stadium.
As he moved to his preferred position as a left winger in the second half, his lackluster performance continued, turning the fans' murmurs into clear shouts of anger the moment he was substituted in the 77th minute.
Italian reports reveal the crisis details
According to what was published by the Italian newspaper Tuttosport, Leão is going through what resembles a "seventh-year crisis" with Milan currently.
The newspaper indicated that the player suffers from a clear decline in his physical condition since last summer, in addition to behaviors on and off the pitch that have not been ideal recently. The situation has been further complicated by successive injuries that have plagued him in 2026.
Tactical struggle and tension with Allegri
The tactical change adopted by coach Massimiliano Allegri, relying on the 3-5-2 formation, played a role in limiting Leão's capabilities, as analysts believe this system does not suit the Portuguese star's characteristics.
This technical confusion is reflected in the player's statistics, as he has only scored 10 goals this season, his lowest rate in years.
The issue did not stop at the technical level but extended to the disciplinary aspect, as reports noted noticeable tension between the player and his coach, especially after his angry reaction in the previous Lazio match and his objection to teammate Pulisic.
These actions have prompted Milan's management to decide to freeze negotiations for his contract renewal, which expires in 2028, and not extend it to 2030 as planned, awaiting future developments in the Portuguese star's relationship with the Milanello camp.
