Rafael Leao attempts to shame Paolo Di Canio with fascist salute image in response to 'pin them to the wall with punches' criticism from ex-AC Milan & West Ham star

AC Milan have endured a miserable start to the 2024-25 season, losing one and drawing two of their opening three games. Paulo Fonseca's side were held to a 2-2 draw at Lazio last time out, with Leao netting a crucial late equaliser. However, the Portuguese winger was also seen standing with Theo Hernandez on the far side of the pitch while Fonseca spoke to the rest of the team during a touchline cooling break, which left Di Canio enraged as he covered the game as a pundit for Sky Calcio Club.

The former AC Milan and West Ham striker said: “If something like this happens after work, even with my friends messing around and playing, if someone sits there on the side with their big bellies, I tell them: ‘Hey, what are you doing? Come and help us’. And you have to pay €10 to play on the pitch. One of them is even captain sometimes and pipes up as if to say ‘oh look at this’. It delegitimizes the situation. The coach, the team-mates who were put down by that attitude, in my day, would have been pinned up against the wall and punched. It’s a disgrace.”

Leao appeared to respond to Di Canio on X by posting the infamous image of the Italian making a fascist salute to supporters after playing for Lazio in a derby clash against Roma in 2005.

Speaking to Corriere della Sera about the incident in 2017, Di Canio said: "It is what I regret the most. I carry with me the symbols of what I was and what I did, including my errors, but I have never been racist.”

Leao has been included in Portugal's squad for upcoming Nations' League matches against Croatia and Scotland. After the international break, the 25-year-old will line up for Milan in a home fixture against Venezia as they bid to climb back towards the top of the Serie A table.