It’s not the start Rafael Leão or AC Milan wanted for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/serie-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Serie A</a> season. The Rossoneri have struggled in their first three matches, with two draws and a defeat. Except for Christian Pulisic, who has been average, the rest of Milan’s main stars, including Rafael Leão, have been underperforming.



So much so that new AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca benched Leão in their poor 2-2 draw with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lazio" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lazio</a>. During a water break, both Rafael Leão and Theo Hernandez did not rejoin the team for instructions from Fonseca, which caught the attention of fans and pundits.



Paolo Di Canio blasted the pair, stating, “Here we are talking about serious things; this is a disgrace in my opinion. You are not at an after-work team where you can do what you want. Here you are at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ac-milan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Milan</a>. We are talking about Theo and Leão; one of them is often the captain too. But what are you doing? Your teammates will have felt downgraded by your attitude.”



<h2>Rafael Leão Hits Back on X</h2>



Taking to X, Rafael Leão posted an image of Di Canio performing a Nazi salute. On March 1, 2001, Di Canio made the gesture after scoring a goal for Lazio in a Serie A match against Napoli. The salute was controversial due to its association with fascism, although Di Canio later claimed it was meant as a salute to Lazio fans, not a political statement.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="584" height="488" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240902_BUS_228177_GWereRHWcAAoytB_342b29bf.webp&amp;width=584&amp;height=488" alt="" class="wp-image-228179" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GWereRHWcAAoytB.jpg 584w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2024/09/GWereRHWcAAoytB-300x251.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px"></figure></figure>



Leão’s post was intended to “hit back” and criticize Di Canio for his statement. AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca has since tried to defuse the situation.


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“I have already spoken to Theo. I don’t tell lies; you know me, I’m always sincere and honest. There is no problem with Theo and Rafa. They didn’t start the match, but I spoke to them during the week, and they understood. They came in well because I think if there had been a problem, they wouldn’t have come in like that,” Fonseca stated.

AC Milan’s Rafael Leão slams Paolo Di Canio on social media after criticism

AC Milan’s Rafael Leão slams Paolo Di Canio on social media after criticism - Bolavip US

miniaturas

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ac-milan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AC Milan</a> is ready for the new <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/serie-a" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Serie A</a> season. Paulo Fonseca is hoping his stars can kick off their seasons hot, and all indications during the club’s summer tour in the United States are that they will.



AC Milan bagged wins against Manchester City, Real Madrid, and a penalty kick shootout win over Barcelona. Against Barcelona, the team’s best attacking trio was on display in Rafael Leão, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/christian-pulisic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christian Pulisic</a>, and Samuel Chukwueze.



The result was smooth passing and a new role for Pulisic, being creative down the middle; the end result was a fantastic performance by the American.



<h2>Christian Pulisic scores against Barcelona</h2>



It was only a few days ago that Rafael Leão had stated to ESPN he was hopeful that Pulisic would play down the middle more this season. “I am not a coach, but I prefer Pulisic as a #10 because he can shoot with both feet and has good vision for the role.”



Pulisic not only scored but also assisted on a goal in a 62-minute appearance.The player showcased a solid performance with 25 touches and demonstrated precision in his passing, completing 88% of his 17 attempted passes.



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">Tight angle- no problem for Pulisic. 🔥 Picking up right where he left off after a double digit goal &amp; double digit assist debut season for Milan. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/USMNT?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#USMNT</a> <a href="https://t.co/j0r9QVMLgT">pic.twitter.com/j0r9QVMLgT</a>— herculez gomez (@herculezg) <a href="https://twitter.com/herculezg/status/1821022949262160297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 7, 2024</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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For Pulisic, he is hopeful for a great second season at AC Milan after 15 goals in 50 games last season, the best in his career. Pulisic is also hopeful that a strong start to the season will wipe the egg off his face after the USMNT completely disappointed in the summer’s Copa America.


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Christian Pulisic scored goal against Barcelona and fulfills Rafael Leão prediction 

Rafael Leão's prediction about Christian Pulisic comes through during AC Milan vs. Barcelona - Bolavip US

Rafael Leão's prediction about Christian Pulisic comes through during AC Milan vs. Barcelona

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portugal">Portugal</a> is always a favorite team to win any tournament they participate in and in this <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/uefa-euro">UEFA Euro 2024</a> they did not disappoint and quickly sealed their passage to the next round in their first two games.



In the first match against the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/czech-republic">Czech Republic</a>, they started losing and showed some complications but they managed to turn the result around to end up with a 2-1 victory.



The second match was totally different and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/cristiano-ronaldo">Cristiano Ronaldo’s</a> team overcame <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/turkey">Turkey</a> 3-0 with a good collective performance to seal their qualification. 



The only problem they will have for their final match against <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/georgia">Georgia</a> is that Roberto Martinez will be without one of his star players, AC Milan striker Rafael Leao.



<h2>Rafael Leao out of the match against Georgia in UEFA Euro 2024</h2>



The reason why Rafael Leao will not be present in Portugal’s last match is because he received two yellow cards and will have to serve a one-match suspension.



The talented 25-year-old forward received both yellow cards for faking a foul to earn a penalty, first against Czech Republic and then against Turkey.



With their ticket in hand and first place in their group assured, Roberto Martinez may opt to rest his players for the final match against Georgia, which could help ease the impact of Leao’s absence.

Why is Rafael Leao not playing for Portugal against Georgia in UEFA Euro 2024?

Why is Rafael Leao not playing for Portugal against Georgia in UEFA Euro 2024? - Bolavip US

Rafael Leao is one of the most talented players at <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/ac-milan" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AC Milan</a>, in five seasons the Portuguese star has 47 goals in 183 games. This season there has been no question that when Rafael Leao is on, AC Milan clicks on all cylinders. 



Stefano Pioli made sure to lighten the load off of Leao with the signing of <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/christian-pulisic-is-ac-milans-top-rated-player-per-fotmob-20231214-BUS-91985.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">USMNT</a> winger <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/christian-pulisic" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christian Pulisic</a> who has returned that confidence in spades for his new team with six goals and four assists, freeing up Leao to create more and play more freely on the left. 



Now Leao sat down with Sky Sports in Italy and talked about the next step in his career and how the talented winger can get to the level of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappé. 



<h2>Leao on Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé </h2>


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In the interview the journalist asked the AC Milan winger what he is missing from getting to the top of world soccer, Leao responded, “Yes but I’m not selfish. I can score goals, but I can also get assists. 



“At that level numbers make the difference because Mbappe, Haaland, Messi have numbers that speak for themselves. When I think like them, I’ll get to their level.” 



<h2>Profile of Rafael Leão </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1024" height="576" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20240102_BUS_95603_Rafael-Leao-2-1024x576_87badb41.webp&amp;width=1024&amp;height=576" alt="" class="wp-image-68661" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/Rafael-Leao-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/Rafael-Leao-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/Rafael-Leao-2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/Rafael-Leao-2-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/09/Rafael-Leao-2.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px"></figure><figcaption>Rafael Leao of AC Milan </figcaption></figure>



Rafael Leao is regarded as one of the best forwards and wingers in the world. He can play on both wings and down the middle although at AC Milan he mostly plays on the left. 


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Leao began his career at Sporting Lisbon before a move to France for Lille, after only one season he was signed by AC Milan where he has won one Serie A title with the club.

Rafael Leao states only one thing separates him from Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé

Rafael Leao states only one thing separates him from Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé - Bolavip US

This season <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/transfer-rumors-former-real-madrid-star-offered-to-barcelona-report-20220523-0017.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Real Madrid</a> once again proved that they are one of the strongest teams in the world. They won the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/this-is-how-much-money-real-madrid-players-will-earn-for-winning-la-liga-title-20220508-0007.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021-2022 La Liga season</a>, conquered the Super Cup against Athletic Bilbao, and will play the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/liverpool-vs-real-madrid-when-and-where-is-the-2021-2022-uefa-champions-league-final-going-to-be-held-20220504-0023.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021-2022 Champions League Final</a> against <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/how-psg-plan-to-team-up-liverpool-forward-with-lionel-messi-and-neymar-20220519-0011.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liverpool</a>.
Besides that, El Merengue with a value of more than $1.6 billion, are the most valuable soccer club brand and, with a score of 94 out of 100, arealso the strongest in the world, according to the latest ranking prepared by the consultancy Brand Finance.
The fact that<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/kylian-mbappe-reveals-who-he-supports-in-serie-a-20220524-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kylian Mbappe</a> rejected Real Madrid’s offer and renewed his contract with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/what-would-mbappe-say-the-reason-why-pochettino-could-stay-at-psg-20220525-0007.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PSG </a>was a hard blow for El Madridismo and the club. However, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/real-madrids-milliondollar-deal-for-the-new-santiago-bernabeu-20220519-0017.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Florentino Perez</a> did not stand idly by and apparently has already arranged his first signing for next season and would also be willing to pay 120 million euros for a forward.
<h2>The two players who could join Real Madrid next season</h2>
<h3>Aurelien Tchouameni</h3>
Sooner or later, Real Madrid’s midfield will have to change, and the club’s officials know it. Toni Kroos is 32 years old, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/real-madrid-this-is-the-secret-of-luka-modrics-physical-form-at-age-of-36-20220416-0012.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Luka Modric</a> is 36, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/casemiro-on-chelseas-radar-real-madrid-star-in-tuchels-plans-as-jorginho-and-kantes-futures-uncertain-20220519-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Casemiro</a>is 30. That is why Real Madrid have been looking for long-term replacements. First, with the signing of Eduardo Camavinga last season and now, everything seems to indicate that the Aurelien Tchouameni will join La Casa Blanca.
Tchouameni wouldjoin Real Madrid this summer on a 5-year deal, a deal worth around 80,000,000 euros plus bonuses. The 22-year-old Frenchman is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in Europe. El Merengue and the player have already agreed on personal terms but there has not been an agreement with Monaco yet.
<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/why-paul-pogba-rejected-manchester-city-move-20220521-0001.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manchester United</a>, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/chelsea-why-antonio-rudiger-opted-not-to-renew-and-join-real-madrid-20220521-0012.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chelsea</a>, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/giorgio-chiellini-mls-pretenders-after-his-departure-from-juventus-20220514-0018.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Juventus</a>, Liverpool, and PSG are other teams that wanted to sign the player. The only problem for Real Madrid is that Tchouameni is still the French team’s main target and would be willing to offer Monaco a significant amount of money.
<h3>Rafael Leao</h3>
In addition, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Real Madrid want to sign Rafael Leao. The Portuguese forward has just won the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/napoli-fans-stole-coach-spalletti-s-car-and-set-a-condition-for-giving-it-back-20220513-0022.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Serie A</a> title with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/liverpool-owners-have-reportedly-offered-more-than-1-billion-to-buy-ac-milan-20220506-0009.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milan</a>and was named the best player of the tournament. The 22-year-old scored 11 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 games played in Serie A this season.
The Italian newspaper reported that the player has a release clause of 150,000,000 euros and that Real Madrid would be willing to pay 120,000,000 euros for him. Leao has a contract with Milan until 2024, and the Italian club’s officials want to renew his contract until 2026. Only time will tell if Leao signs for Real Madrid to set up the trident alongside <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/real-madrid-s-karim-benzema-sets-5-records-after-reaching-uefa-champions-league-final-20220505-0012.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Benzema</a>and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/vinicius-juniors-profile-age-height-family-private-life-hair-tattoos-salary-and-market-value-20220522-0004.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vinicius Junior</a>.

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Report: Real Madrid close to sealing first signing and also ready to pay €120M for AC Milan's Leao

Report: Real Madrid close to sealing first signing and also ready to pay €120M for AC Milan's Leao - Bolavip US

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