A report from Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Milan stars Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez are both expected to leave the club at the end of the season, with head coach Sergio Conceiçao contemplating benching them in the upcoming Serie A fixture against Lecce.
The atmosphere has shifted dramatically since the formidable duo was instrumental in the Rossoneri’s triumphant Scudetto campaign nearly three years ago, as the two players are now facing criticism and diminishing form.
While the Portuguese star has contributed two goals and two assists in his side’s last five Serie A outings, his performances have been erratic, often leading his manager to either sub him off at half time or bring him on in the second half.
On the other hand, the French left back has never redeemed himself after getting dismissed for two silly yellow cards in a Champions League decider against Feyenoord, which was arguably the lowest point in an already troubled season.
Conceiçao to bench Leao and Theo Herndandez at Lecce before Milan summer exitAccording to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Conceiçao is considering sidelining both players for the Lecce match, reflecting a broader strategy to make his team more consistent. This potential decision also underscores the coach’s intent to hold all players accountable and to prioritise form over reputation.
Leão’s situation is deemed similarly precarious – while no concrete offers have materialised, there is speculation about interest from clubs abroad, including Al-Nassr from Saudi Arabia.
The lack of formal bids adds complexity to his potential departure, leaving both the player and the club in a state of uncertainty.
The newspaper adds that Milan won’t extend Theo Hernandez’s contract, which expires in June 2026, and will seek potential buyers next summer to avoid losing him on a free transfer in the following summer.
