Amorim warns Leao ‘it will be tough’ to reclaim his Milan position: ‘He has to fight’

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)

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)

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.”