{"id":604600,"date":"2026-04-13T18:14:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T18:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/604600\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T18:14:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T18:14:12","slug":"di-canio-leaos-priority-is-something-other-than-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/604600\/","title":{"rendered":"Di Canio: Leao\u2019s priority is \u2018something\u2019 other than football"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paolo Di Canio argues that Rafael Leao\u2019s movements are not suited to a centre-forward and insists the Portuguese star\u2019s priority \u2018has almost become something else.\u2019<\/p>\n

Leao has attracted criticism from Milan fans who loudly booed him when he was subbed off during a 3-0 home loss to Udinese on Saturday.<\/p>\n

Leao has been mostly deployed as a centre-forward this season, including in the last match when Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri switched to a 4-3-3 system from 3-5-2.<\/p>\n

Sky Sport<\/a> examined Leao\u2019s issues this season, with ex-Rossoneri striker Di Canio still very critical of the Portuguese.<\/p>\n

Di Canio argued that Leao plays as a centre-forward because if he played on the wings, Milan would be even more vulnerable in defence.<\/p>\n

Di Canio: Leao\u2019s \u2018physical and mental energy gets drained\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are talking about a player who should make 50 movements to receive the ball, but doesn\u2019t even make half unless he\u2019s certain he\u2019ll receive it,\u201d Di Canio added.<\/p>\n

\"Article<\/p>\n

\u201cHe didn\u2019t even make a movement to open the space for his teammates, because he wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d receive the pass.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny striker, in any league, must work so hard. It\u2019s difficult even for natural centre-forwards; imagine for a player who seems lazy almost every time he doesn\u2019t have the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n

Leao was named the best Serie A player in 2021-22 when the massively contributed to Milan\u2019s Serie A title victory, but the 26-year-old hasn\u2019t developed much since.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe relaxed; he\u2019s been cuddled, and he hasn\u2019t had the determination or desire to keep improving,\u201d continued Di Canio.<\/p>\n

Read more \u2013\u00a0Milan shifts Rafael Leao transfer strategy as price drops<\/p>\n

\u201cThe priority has almost become something else. Over the years, I don\u2019t remember seeing so many fashion show videos or eight-hour recording sessions with record labels. You always say we should look at the players\u2019 private lives, but if someone spends four or five hours doing other things, their physical and mental energy gets drained.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not like playing PlayStation for half an hour. If you\u2019re spending six or seven hours with a record label and going to fashion shows, how are you supposed to regenerate the mental energy to play at this level?\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Article<\/p>\n

MILAN, ITALY \u2013 FEBRUARY 22: Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots and misses a chance on goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has suggested that Leao and Milan should part ways at the end of the season<\/a>, but Inter legend Beppe Bergomi is confident that the Portuguese can regain the fans\u2019 trust.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe can easily recover. I experienced even more difficult years; other players, too,\u201d said the ex-defender.<\/p>\n

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