Leão set to miss Milan’s Serie A opener after failing to return to training

AC Milan are set to begin their Serie A campaign without Rafael Leão, with the Portugal international expected to miss Sunday’s meeting with Torino after failing to return to full training.

Leão has been managing a muscular problem in his quadriceps that already kept him out of Milan’s recent friendly against Manchester United. While there had initially been hope that he could recover in time for the opening weekend, his absence from Friday’s training session has increased the expectation that he will not be available.

Milan have yet to issue formal confirmation of his absence, but the latest indications leave Ruben Amorim preparing alternative attacking plans for the first league fixture of the season.

Losing Leão would remove one of Milan’s primary sources of pace and individual creativity. His ability to carry the ball over distance, attack defenders in isolation and create opportunities from the left has remained a central feature of the side, making his availability particularly significant at the beginning of a new campaign.

Amorim must now decide how to restructure the attack without him. Gonçalo Ramos is among the players expected to carry greater responsibility in the final third, while Christian Pulisic and other attacking options could be required to provide more creativity between the lines and from wide areas.

The immediate priority for Milan is avoiding unnecessary risk with Leão so early in the season. A muscular issue aggravated in August could become considerably more disruptive if the forward is brought back before he is fully ready, particularly with the schedule expected to intensify quickly after the opening weeks.

His fitness situation also arrives against the backdrop of continued uncertainty surrounding his longer-term future at San Siro. Reports in Italy have indicated that Leão recently held talks with senior club figures, although no agreement for a transfer has been reached and he remains part of Milan’s registered squad.

For now, those questions remain secondary to his recovery. Milan are preparing to face Torino without one of their most influential attackers, while the club wait for clearer indications of when Leão can return to full training.

The opening weekend may therefore provide an early test of the attacking depth available to Amorim — and of Milan’s ability to function effectively without a player who has so often been central to their threat.