💣 Leao, words that hurt Milan! Who's to blame for the rift? 😰 | OneFootball

Rafael Leao has announced his intention to leave Milan: yet another earthquake in the Rossoneri camp, coming at a very difficult time for the club and its fans.

The sweetness of the message, however, is not enough to lessen the negative impact these words will have on the Devil’s immediate future. And the fans sensed it right away: split between happiness over a likely sale and anger at the timing chosen.

Leao and Milan deserved a different farewell

The intention to leave Milan — according to the information that has emerged — was not communicated to the club but directly during Sport TV’s live broadcast, moreover in an informal context and without agreeing anything with the club.

"Unprofessional even in saying goodbye" someone dared to say on social media (followed by a flood of likes), and it is certainly an exaggerated, knee-jerk opinion, but at the same time it contains a grain of truth.

After 7 years together, a Scudetto, a Serie A MVP award, and 291 matches for Milan, Rafael Leao’s farewell should have been handled better. Exactly: professionalism was needed in everything — timing and manner.

A press conference, perhaps keeping quiet in order to focus on the World Cup, or a discussion with the “new” Milan after the management overhaul. Instead, this farewell gives the impression of an opportunity seized by Leao, because after all 'there are no longer any directors to answer to'.

The interview lowers his value. And Cardinale...

Fortunately for Milan and Leao himself, Portugal is in the running to have an excellent World Cup: an important showcase after a failed season. Because all the conditions are there for a cut-price sale: a contract expiring in 2027, a terrible relationship with the fans, a salary of 5 million net (+ bonuses), and a declining career despite playing in Serie A, the league where every pacey attacker makes a difference.

On the other side there is the behavior of Cardinale and the management: the stalled renewal and the failure to take a stand after the whistles aimed at the player left little room for doubt: Leao was expendable in the club’s plans and no one did anything to make it seem otherwise — at least to potential buyers.

The sum of these factors led to Leao’s interview: a communication own goal that could get even worse in the coming weeks.

Leao vs fans: the relationship can still get worse

Now the fans’ frustration could increase for another reason: Leao’s possible destination, as he has admirers in Turkey and certainly in Saudi Arabia, destinations the Portuguese player has repeatedly rejected. Teams, however, that pay both clubs and players well.

If Leao digs in to leave 'when he wants' and 'where he wants', rejecting astronomical offers in order to pressure Milan, then the relationship between fans and player could truly hit rock bottom.

A paradoxical situation in which all parties will probably get less than they could have and part ways in a worse manner than they deserved. Ownership, player, and fans. Milan is in deep water, and there is still no land in sight from the bow.

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

📸 PIERO CRUCIATTI - AFP or licensors