Rafael Leao Denies Negative Influence Claims from Milan Coach

Rafael Leao has publicly slapped down claims that new Milan coach Ruben Amorim considers him a “negative influence” in the dressing room, accusing a social media report of lying.

The Portugal forward, usually quiet on X, broke character when he spotted a post repeating a line first reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. The claim: Amorim supposedly sees Leao as a disruptive presence and worries about his impact on the squad’s atmosphere.

Leao didn’t let it slide. “You are lying,” he wrote in response, before following up with: “Maybe because you are lying,” and adding three laughing-face emojis for emphasis. Short, sharp, and pointed.

The 25-year-old is absent from Milan’s friendly against Manchester United, but that absence is down to a minor injury, not a disciplinary matter. The club have been keen to stress that point as speculation swirls around his future and his relationship with Amorim.

This summer has turned into a quiet auction that never really started. Milan and Leao’s camp have been open to a sale, yet the market has not responded in the way the Rossoneri hoped. Interest has come from Turkey, with Galatasaray, Besiktas and Fenerbahce all testing the waters, but only with offers well below Milan’s valuation.

The initial price was clear: 50 million euros plus 10 million in add-ons. No one came close. The lack of serious bids has forced a rethink at Casa Milan, and the stance has softened. The club are now prepared to listen at around 40 million euros.

Leao has made his feelings about the “negative influence” tag very public. The next verdict will come from the market: who is willing to pay for a player fighting both rumours and a shrinking price tag?