It will be time to Rafael Leao today against Real Madrid and it couldn’t be otherwise. Because the Portuguese’s technical quality, his one-on-one qualities, are and will be indispensable in Milan’s season. And let alone against a literally galactic team like Carlo Ancelotti’s Merengues. Except that Almada’s class of 1999, in the last three league outings, has always been left out from the start. Leao’s difficult October, on the bench against Udinese, not even half an hour against Napoli and Monza in the league, saw him take to the pitch from the start (but replaced after 60′) against Club Bruges. So the question of many is one: will Leao leave? Will he do it in January? In the summer?
The role of Jorge Mendes
Jorge Mendes no longer has a direct relationship with Leao. He is no longer the agent, he does not manage it. Until March 2025, the rumors that come from the heart of Milan say that he would have the possibility of bringing and proposing market solutions for the champion compatriot of Paulo Fonseca’s squad. A mandate to sell? Call it what you like, but next will be the last session Mendes will have a role in (or try for) the Leao chapter. He is trying to bring the player and the club to the table Barcelona but the Blaugrana would not go beyond 60 million euros by adding two players in the negotiation. And Milan under 120-130 million would not sell the Portuguese. Furthermore, with Yamal and Raphinha and Lewandowski, Flick also makes it known that he doesn’t need the AC Milan player.
The will of the parties
The will of the protagonists involved will count. Clearly. Milan, even considering how much they have spent and have also spent on the player between renewal and personal issues in the Lille-Sporting CP affair, do not want and can sell him below the figures indicated above. It remains to be seen whether the trend for the coach will change after the match against Real Madrid. We have already talked about it at length, if the bench ‘motivates’ and makes a player react, others risk being negatively affected. And this is the case of Leao who, despite everything, decided to keep his head down, think about the pitch, about training, without ever raising his voice or tone (never a line on social media, for someone very active like him!). Also because he married Milan with conviction and neither he nor the club would absolutely like to end the relationship in January. Also because, by remaining outside, the incoming offers are unlikely to be upwards…