Rabiot warns Leao: ‘At 26, you are no longer young’ | OneFootball

Adrien Rabiot warns Rafael Leao that ‘at 26, you are no longer young’ but hopes Massimiliano Allegri will have a ‘positive impact’ on the Portuguese star.

Milan star Rabiot urges his teammate, Rafael Leao, to fulfil his potential as the Portugal international possesses the potential to be one of the best players in the world.

“I know people talk about him a lot,” Rabiot told Gazzetta.

“He’s a player with great potential, but at 26, you are no longer young. At his age, there’s no more time to waste; time goes by fast. It would be a shame if he remained just a potentially great player. I hope he realises he has what it takes to compete with the best.

Rabiot’s warning to Leao: He ‘needs to ask himself where he wants to go’

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan is pursued by Mohamed Kaba Drame of US Lecce during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

“Maybe he doesn’t have the will or the passion of someone like Modric, but Leao needs to ask himself where he wants to go, whether he’s satisfied with what he has achieved or if his goal is to become what he truly can be,” continued the France international.

“For us, it would be a shame if he didn’t express all his potential and didn’t focus 100% on his work. Allegri knows how to get the best out of his players. I hope he has a positive impact on him as well. Maybe for Leao, this is the right opportunity.”

Leao has only made two Serie A appearances as a substitute this season, having recently recovered from a calf injury he sustained in Milan’s debut in Coppa Italia against Bari on August 17.

Italian media criticised him for an error he made in front of the goal in Milan’s latest league game against Juventus in Turin. It’s been questioned whether the Portuguese is the best option for the centre-forward position at San Siro, especially because the Rossoneri have other interesting options up front.

Rabiot: Nkunku an ‘excellent player’

MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Christopher Nkunku of AC Milan inflates a balloon as he celebrates with teammates after scoring to give the side a 2-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

One of those is Christopher Nkunku who joined the Rossoneri on a permanent deal from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

“He’s an excellent player, effective in front of the goal, technically strong, and makes runs and cuts inside,” said Rabiot.

“Allegri is happy to have him. He’s another attacking weapon that will be very important in the race for the Scudetto. He arrived a bit out of shape and needs some time to get back to full fitness, but he’s already shown some interesting things in a department full of different profiles. Pulisic, Leao, and even Gimenez, who many criticise, but Santi is someone who gives 100% in training and matches. He has the right mentality, and he just needs to unlock himself. Overall, Milan are an excellent team, maybe just a bit thin in defence in case of injuries.”