Rafael Leão's reactions: Is the AC Milan star suffering from a psychological issue?

In a night to forget, where AC Milan suffered a harsh and heavy 3-0 defeat against Udinese, the disastrous result was not the only event that caught the eye at the San Siro stadium.

Instead, the condition of the Portuguese star Rafael Leão, the wearer of the number 10 jersey and the team's highest-paid player, was the biggest mystery.

The player who was relied upon to make the difference has become a symbol of the team's collapse, amidst clear signs reflecting the player's entry into a suffocating psychological crisis that has affected his focus and self-confidence.

The 'fake substitution' incident: A distracted mind and lost confidence

Leão's shaky psychological state and complete detachment from the match's atmosphere were evident in a strange and pitiable incident that occurred in the 66th minute. Milan was trailing by two goals when suddenly the fourth official's electronic board lit up with the number '10'.

In a resigned and automatic manner, Leão believed he was the one being substituted. He didn't argue or seem surprised; instead, he left the field with his head down, took off his shin guards, and prepared to sit on the bench.

However, the embarrassing surprise was that the substitution was not for him at all, but for Udinese player Nicolò Zaniolo, who coincidentally wears the same number for his team!

This specific incident, and the Portuguese player's quick resignation to the idea of being substituted, clearly reveals a player who anticipates failure, lacks confidence in his ability to continue or change the score, and is suffering from psychological pressure that makes him unable to even read the game's flow correctly.

Boos from the stands: The collapse of Leão's relationship with the fans

After this embarrassing situation, Leão quickly returned to the field, attempting to rectify matters. However, his presence did not last long. Just ten minutes later (in the 77th minute), the actual substitution decision was made.

As soon as he was actually substituted, the San Siro stands erupted with deafening boos and immense anger towards the player.

Leão has fully borne the brunt of the fans' frustration. The supporters now see him as a burden after he was once the team's gem, confirming a deep rift in the relationship between the two parties.

The numbers confirm the crisis

The Italian press, led by 'La Gazzetta dello Sport', was not lenient with the Portuguese star in its assessment the following day. The numbers prove that Leão is going through his worst footballing period, which can be summarized as follows:

• A long scoring drought: The player's last goal dates back to March 1st.
• A disastrous scoring rate: He has only scored two goals in the entire second half of the season, with a poor average of 0.18 goals per match.
• Lack of effectiveness: The player has completely failed to provide any assists to his teammates during this period.

In light of this deteriorating psychological and technical condition, doubts about Rafael Leão's future with the Rossoneri are increasing. Despite having a contract that extends until 2028, contract renewal or improvement talks have been completely stalled since the beginning of 2026, the same situation as his teammate Christian Pulisic.

Unless there is a sudden technical and psychological resurgence from the player in the remaining few matches, AC Milan's management will find itself forced to carefully evaluate Leão's situation during the upcoming summer transfer window, to make a decisive decision regarding the player's stay or to open the door for his departure in search of a new environment that can reignite his lost passion.