AC Milan legend Roberto Donadoni has urged the club to consider selling forward Rafael Leao, insisting the Portuguese international has failed to progress this season.
Leao, who is of Angolan descent, has come under scrutiny as Milan’s campaign falters, with their Champions League exit and inconsistent Serie A form drawing criticism.
Despite his talent and explosive style, the 24-year-old has struggled to meet expectations in recent months.
Speaking to Radio Anch’io Sport, Donadoni, a decorated former Milan midfielder, reflected on the club’s underwhelming season and Leao’s uncertain future.
“It’s a complicated campaign, they need to learn important lessons from where they went wrong and try to improve,” he said.
With Milan facing Inter in a high-stakes derby that could define their season, Donadoni warned that another poor result would mark the year as a failure.
“Now the derby becomes a deadline. When you are forced to get a result in order to save the season, things get even more complicated. Another setback here truly would make it a failure of a year. I hope that won’t be the case.”
Donadoni also criticised the club’s broader structure and strategic clarity, saying: “You need a solid club with clear ideas behind a team, and this year, Milan just did not give the sensation of having that.
“When Milan have found a clearer dimension, then the results will return too.”
Turning to Leao, he urged Milan to make a decisive call.
“The club has to really dig deep and understand if Leao has the right motivation to remain at Milan or not.
“If there is not this ferocious conviction, then perhaps it’s right to consider a sale. If he does not feel fully integrated in a project, it’s difficult for him to give his best.”
Milan are currently ninth in Serie A and trail rivals Inter by a significant 20-point margin.
