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MILAN, ITALY – MAY 24: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks on from the substitutes bench prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Cagliari Calcio at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 24, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Rafael Leao insists he wanted to defend a teammate and ‘never intended to hurt the opponent’ when he was sent off in a friendly against Chile on Saturday, receiving support from Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes.
Milan star Leao made headlines for the wrong reasons on Saturday as he received a straight red card for hitting an opponent during an international friendly against Chile.
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Rafael Leao explains red card vs. Chile
The Portugal international explained his reaction in an Instagram post: “Regarding my sending off, I simply wanted to protect my teammate and never intended to hurt the opponent,” he wrote.
“Thank you to all the Portuguese fans who were at Jamor; the atmosphere was incredible. We move forward together.”
Several friends commented on Leao’s Instagram post, including his compatriot Bruno Fernandes, a Manchester United midfielder. “United,” Bruno wrote in Portuguese, receiving a further reply from Leao.
The Milan star has restricted comments on his social media posts due to the criticism from Milan fans in recent months.
Leao is expected to receive aone-game ban, so, with Portugal playing one more friendly before the start of the World Cup, the Rossoneri forward should avoid suspension for the tournament’s opening game.
Portugal will make their 2026 World Cup debut on June 17 against DR Congo; it will be followed by a match against Fabio Cannavaro’s Uzbekistan on June 23 and the final group stage game against Colombia on June 28.
ByLorenzo Bettoni
Lorenzo Bettoni is the Editor of Football Italia.
