Rafael Leao already facing same Galatasaray criticism that saw Milan cut ties

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 4: Rafael Leao of Galatasaray looks on during the Turkish Super League 2026/27 match between Rams Basaksehir FK and Galatasaray SK at Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadyumu on September 4, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Rafael Leao is already facing much of the same criticism with Galatasaray that prompted his departure from Milan, as Filippo Galli notes ‘perhaps his talent doesn’t go beyond that level.’

The striker arrived at Milan from LOSC in 2019 as a young talent with great promise, but left seven years later having simply never delivered on it.

There were flashes of brilliance, though a chronic lack of consistency matched too often with a poor attitude wiped out the positives.

Milan tired of waiting for Rafael Leao

“Rafael Leao had his time at Milan and it came to a natural conclusion,” former Rossoneri player Galli told Radio anch’io sport.

“He is a talented player, but he was content with being that and was never the leader that he could’ve been. Perhaps his talent doesn’t go beyond that level, so it’s right that his path and that of Milan should separate.

“What matters is the team, and at a certain point you have to consider when a player is no longer functional to the team or what the coach asks.”

Galatasaray eventually purchased Rafael Leao for a bargain €38m plus add-ons, including a 20 per cent sell-on fee, but he is already facing the same kind of criticism in Turkiye that he did in Italy.

The 27-year-old made four competitive appearances for Galatasaray, failing to contribute a single goal or assist so far.

Notably, he lost possession 21 times in the 4-0 defeat to Trabzonspor, with fans and pundits complaining he lacked intensity and aggression in his play.

“Rafael Leao epitomised the lack of passion,” said Mike Lahoud on CBS Sports Golazo.

“How much does he make again, €288,000 a week? To put in that sort of performance is unacceptable. This is a big club. This isn’t a small club, and it just seems like he’s sitting there on vacation.

“It doesn’t seem like a player who has a golden opportunity to just fall in love with football again. Rafa Leao was completely outplayed by a 22-year-old Portuguese Under-21 international in Noah Saviolo.

“He needs to wake up a bit, because football can be very unforgiving, and this can be one of his last chances to revitalise his career.”

“Without Victor Osimhen this team looks very ordinary.” @MikeLahoud breaks down what went wrong for Galatasaray against Trabzonspor 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/B9VS1geCSF

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 19, 2026