Gazzetta – Allegri’s request and Leao’s surprising response: “I can’t do it”. Why he wasn’t called up for the Torino match: the background

Groin problems are hampering the Portuguese player’s season; he is struggling to run as he once did, but the manager, for his part, needs his number 10 to contributemore defensively. Leão was and remains absolutely central to Allegri’s plans, as demonstrated by his selection over recent months, during which the 1999-born player has often been kept on the pitch despite his adductor injury.

The manager wants him fully fit for the final push, starting with the Napoli game: the plan, if he is fit, is to start him alongside Christian Pulisic, preferring him to Christopher Nkunku. The Portuguese player is currently undergoing treatment, light exercises, carefully managed training loads and medical checks to monitor the condition of the muscle: the groin strain in his right adductor requires great patience to treat, even if this means turning down a call-up from manager Roberto Martinez, particularly given the former Sporting player’s style of play.

At present, Leao’s future at Milan appears to be in serious doubt, given that talks over a contract renewal seem to have suddenly stalled: negotiations are at a standstill and the club is considering its next move. This situation opens up various possibilities, with the striker’s future still entirely up in the air: there is no talk of a breakdown in talks, but rather of a pause that shifts the balance. The club will therefore need to carefully assess every possible course of action. The transfer market could also come into play with its various possibilities, especially if the deadlock is not broken.