Headline: Amorim Encourages Leao to Fight for Place in Milan Line-Up Following Preseason Victory
Ruben Amorim has cautioned fellow Portuguese player Rafael Leao that it will be challenging to regain his starting position at AC Milan. This comes after Leao missed a recent friendly match against Manchester United, where Amorim urged him to fight for his place.
Amorim celebrated a 4-2 victory over Manchester United in Wroclaw, Poland, with goals from Samuel Chukwueze, Alphadjo Cisse, Goncalo Ramos, and Ruben Loftus-Cheek contributing to the win.
Leao did not participate in the match due to a reported muscular issue he sustained prior to the game, raising further doubts about his future with the club. The 27-year-old has expressed a desire to seek opportunities abroad, particularly in the Premier League or LaLiga, since the end of the 2025-26 season. However, as the summer transfer window nears its conclusion in two weeks, he currently lacks enticing offers, increasing the likelihood of him remaining with Milan beyond September.
Following the match against Manchester United, Amorim responded to inquiries regarding Leao’s future, emphasizing that the international player would need to fight hard to reclaim his spot in the squad.
He noted the recent performances of Cisse and the positional changes made by teammates like Saelemaekers, indicating that competition for places will be fierce. Amorim also mentioned the potential return of Pulisic, further complicating Leao’s path back to the starting line-up.
In addition, Amorim expressed uncertainty about Leao’s availability for the upcoming Serie A opener against Torino, stating, “I don’t think it’s a serious thing, but I don’t know if he’ll be ready” as reported by TMW. He reaffirmed Leao’s value to the team, stating, “Leao is one of our players, and we’re happy to have him.”
Ruben Amorim has warned compatriot Rafael Leao that ‘it will be tough’ to reclaim his position in the Milan starting line-up, but has urged the Portugal international to ‘fight’ for his place after missing out on a recent friendly victory over Manchester United.
What Amorim said about Leao after 4-2 Man United win
Amorim was all smiles on Saturday evening after recording a 4-2 friendly victory over his former club Manchester United with Milan in Wroclaw, Poland: Samuel Chukwueze, Alphadjo Cisse, Goncalo Ramos and Ruben Loftus-Cheek provided the goals for the Rossoneri.
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Head coach Ruben Amorim of AC Milan looks on during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images)
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Leao was not involved with the Milan squad that beat Manchester United on Saturday having reported a muscular issue in the lead-up to the game, which has left his future in even more doubt.
The 27-year-old had made it clear at the end of the 2025-26 season that he was keen to leave Milan to try a new experience abroad, ideally in the Premier League or LaLiga.
As things stand, though, Leao remains without enticing offers and now with just a fortnight of the summer transfer window left to go, there is an increasing possibility that he is still with the Rossoneri come the start of September.
Amorim was asked about Leao’s future after full-time against Manchester United and he warned that the Portugal international will have to fight if he wants to reclaim his spot in San Siro.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
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He also admitted that Leao is a doubt for the first game of the Serie A season against Torino next weekend: “I don’t think it’s a serious thing, but I don’t know if he’ll be ready,” Amorim confirmed (via TMW).
When asked for more details about Leao’s future, Amorim said: “I don’t know, but Leao is one of our players. I’ve already said that we’re happy to have him, he’s a valuable player. So we’ll see, but he has to fight.
“I think Cisse, with the way that he played, will make things difficult. Saelemaekers has changed positions, it will be tough. We also have Pulisic coming back, so we will have a lot of players who will be fighting for that place.”
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