AC Milan icon Roberto Donadoni has shared how he would approach Rafael Leao’s situation in the locker room, stating, “I’d grab him by the dreadlocks every now and then.”
Leao is contemplating leaving the club this summer, expressing his desire to move on from the Rossoneri. Meanwhile, fans are becoming increasingly frustrated with his erratic performances.
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: Mike Maignan of AC Milan interacts with Rafael Leao during a Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Additionally, this situation explains why there haven’t been an influx of significant offers for him this summer; only Turkish clubs like Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas have made legitimate inquiries, but none are meeting the €50 million asking price, including add-ons.
When asked by MilanNews how he would have handled a player like Leao, Donadoni’s comments were critical.
Donadoni Critiques Leao
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan appears dejected during the Serie A match against US Cremonese at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
“You really need to experience the situation to understand it, but from the outside, Leao is often evaluated for what he fails to do rather than his achievements,” Donadoni commented.
“He possesses talent and abilities that are certainly above average, but inconsistency is a crucial issue for him.”
“I hope these circumstances finally lead him to recognize that and reach the potential we occasionally see during his remarkable moments.”
“If I were his teammate, I’d give him a gentle nudge by grabbing him by the dreadlocks every so often to encourage him to explore different approaches.”
In his new role, coach Ruben Amorim might be a better fit for Leao compared to his predecessor Max Allegri, yet questions remain about whether the 3-4-2-1 formation suits his playing style.
“As a former Milan player, I can say that some players excel in specific positions, while I often adapted to wherever I was needed,” Donadoni noted. “If someone outperforms you in a given role, you might find it challenging to get playing time unless you develop versatility that benefits both yourself and the team.”
“If we’re debating whether Milan needs to alter their formation to accommodate Leao, then we might already be facing defeat.”