Rafael Leao Deactivates Instagram Profile Following San Siro Jeers and Persistent Scoring Drought

Rafael Leao deactivates Instagram following fan abuse at San Siro. With a goal drought since March, a summer transfer to Barcelona looks increasingly likely.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 29, 2026, 4:07 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from YSScores

A Digital Departure Amid San Siro Hostility

The deteriorating relationship between Rafael Leao and the AC Milan faithful has reached a new low, culminating in the player’s decision to vanish from social media platforms. Following a series of underwhelming performances and visible frustration from the San Siro crowd, the 26-year-old winger deactivated his Instagram account to escape a rising tide of digital criticism. According to reports from Marca, this withdrawal follows a particularly hostile atmosphere during recent fixtures against Udinese and Juventus, where Leao was subjected to loud whistling and jeers from his own supporters upon being substituted.

Scoring Drought Fuels Tactical Frustration

At the heart of the controversy is a significant decline in the forward’s offensive production, which has seen him fail to find the back of the net since a March 1st strike against Cremonese. While Leao has managed 10 goals across all competitions this season, a large segment of the Milanese fanbase views this tally as insufficient for a player commanding a net salary of approximately 7 million euros. Under the tactical direction of Massimiliano Allegri, who has favored a 3-5-2 system this spring, Leao has struggled to replicate the explosive, game-changing form that previously made him a cornerstone of the Rossoneri attack.

Internal Defenses and External Criticisms

The player’s struggles have sparked a divisive debate within the Italian football landscape, with teammates and pundits offering sharply contrasting views. While midfielder Adrien Rabiot publicly defended Leao after the Udinese loss, urging fans to support their star player in difficult moments, others have been less forgiving. Former striker Paolo Di Canio notably criticized the winger’s perceived lack of focus and consistency, suggesting that the team occasionally looks more cohesive without him. These internal tensions have only amplified the narrative that the Portuguese winger has become "damaged goods" in the eyes of some observers.