The football world just took a collective gasp. News broke this Tuesday that AC Milan’s star forward, Rafael Leão, will miss the club’s opening Serie A match. This isn’t just a minor setback for the Rossoneri; it casts a long shadow over Portugal’s crucial first steps in the 2026 World Cup qualification race.
Leão, who is 26 years old, picked up a right calf injury. It happened last Sunday during Milan’s 2-0 win against Bari in the Italian Cup. Milan confirmed the news on their official website, making it clear he won’t be on the field for Saturday’s home game against Cremonese. That’s a tough blow right out of the gate.
Interestingly, Leão himself scored Milan’s first goal in that Italian Cup match before his injury. The club stated that his condition will be checked daily after the Cremonese game. They want to see how he is feeling before their next away match at Lecce on August 29. This means he could also miss that second Serie A game.
More importantly, his absence might extend to the national team. Portugal has two big matches coming up in early September. These games kick off their campaign to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. It’s a vital start to their journey.
Portugal is in Group F. They are set to visit Armenia on September 6. Three days later, on September 9, they face Hungary in Budapest. Missing Leão for these fixtures would be a real headache for the national team coach. He brings so much speed and scoring power to the squad.
This season marks Rafael Leão’s seventh year with AC Milan. He has grown into a key player for them, and his importance to both club and country can’t be overstated. Everyone will be hoping he makes a swift return to the pitch.
