Confirmed! Roberto Martínez leaves out Sporting striker with two goals | OneFootball

Roberto Martínez has released Rafael Leão from the National Team. The Milan forward has had a very turbulent season, having missed several games for the Rossoneri due to injury. In the first FIFA break, the former Sporting player was not called up, but is now being summoned by the Spanish coach.

"The decision to release the player was made by the National Team Coach, Roberto Martínez, after considering the player's physical condition," reads a statement from the FPF, after the forward missed training, as did Gonçalo Inácio, Sporting's central defender.

The recovery time for the 'number 25' of the Lions is already known, while Rafael Leão is expected to return to Milan and be evaluated by the medical department at San Siro. A relapse could delay the winger's breakthrough, as he has already lost his place in the starting eleven.

In the current 2025/26 season, his seventh with Milan, Rafael Leão – valued at 70 million euros – has played three games for the Rossoneri. Over the 65 minutes played, the former Sporting player scored one goal and is still looking for his first assist.

Rafael Leão made his debut for the Sporting first team in the 2017/18 season, by decision of Jorge Jesus. In that match, the now Portuguese international scored a goal in the Clássico against Porto, at Estádio do Dragão. His stay at the Alvalade club did not end in the best way, as in the summer of 2018, he ended up unilaterally terminating his contract with the green and whites after the attack on the Academy, signing for Lille on a free transfer.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.