GdS: ‘A question of trust’ – why Leao’s Portugal comments have attracted attention | OneFootball

Rafael Leao’s name is back in the Italian newspaper headlines, as La Gazzetta dello Sport have construed his comments after Scotland-Portugal as being a dig at Paulo Fonseca.

The paper (as seen below) recall how at the end of Portugal’s disappointing draw against Scotland away from home, Leao spoke to A Bola, making statements that certainly did not go unnoticed by those at Casa Milan.

“When I’m here [with Portugal] I feel everyone’s support. The coach also has a lot of faith in me and this is fundamental for my game,” he said. It’s almost as if he wanted to take a swipe at Fonseca, even if what filters from Milan is that they are sure it was not a jab.

The Rossoneri and Fonseca himself were not surprised by the words, instead believing that they are showing him as much support as he gets while away with his country, if not more. However, incidents like the cooling break saga and the struggle to score goals have brought Leao’s form into question.

With Milan and with Portugal the former Lille man acts as a left winger in a trident of players behind the striker, and he gets himself involved in what both coaches ask of him. With Theo and Calabria absent against Udinese, Fonseca is ready to entrust the captain’s armband to him again.