The Milan midfielder Rafael Leao responded to the criticism by analyst Paolo Di Canio by releasing a picture of the former Lazio player giving the fascist salute
After yet another disappointing Milan performance, Paolo Di Canio made cruel remarks about the Portuguese international, and AC Milan star Rafael Leao showed no compassion.
On the Portuguese talent’s social media account on X, the statement was provided with no need for any commentary. It was a reaction to Di Canio’s harsh criticism of Rafael Leao while serving as a pundit on Sky Sport Italia after Sunday’s 2-2 Serie A tie between Milan and Lazio.
Rafael Leao shares picture of Paolo Di Canio’s fascist goal celebration salute during Rome derby on Twitter/X
Context: Rafael Leão’s response after Di Canio criticized him and Theo Hernandez for not joining the rest of the team during the cooling break.
Image is from when Di Canio used the fascist salute against Lazio fans in 2005 https://t.co/qwhLvpnOZ5 pic.twitter.com/PQGt6DIaBN
— Context footy (@ContextFooty_) September 2, 2024
Leao spoke on social media, after reading or seeing the news, portraying himself as much more of a “disgrace” than Di Canio had claimed.
Rafael Leao and AC Milan are not happy because of their Serie A season’s start. With the exception of Christian Pulisic, who has been mediocre, all of Milan’s key players including Rafael Leao have not lived up to expectations.
In their dismal 2-2 draw with Lazio, Leao was benched by new AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca. Fans and analysts took notice when Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez left the team during a water break and did not return despite Fonseca’s orders.
Paolo Di Canio said, “Here we are talking about serious things; this is a disgrace in my opinion. You are not at an after-work team where you can do what you want. Here you are at Milan. We are talking about Theo and Leao; one of them is often the captain too. But what are you doing? Your teammates will have felt downgraded by your attitude.”
Rafael Leao Vs Paolo Di Canio
Rafael Leao shared a picture of Paolo Di Canio giving the Nazi salute on X. Di Canio used the gesture on March 1, 2001, following his goal for Lazio against Napoli in a Serie A match. Due to its connection to fascism, the gesture caused controversy; however, Di Canio subsequently stated that it was intended as a salute to Lazio supporters rather than as a political statement.
RAFAEL LEAO was literally a Scudetto winner and MVP.
and you’re defending a self-declared fascist and a wasted talent who was more famous for his collection of Tapiro d’Oro.if Leao were white and Italian you’d kiss his ass. you’re just a pathetic racist. https://t.co/yg5W2vnT3j pic.twitter.com/Y0moDrjErk
— ROSSONERIFREAK (@rossonerifreak) September 3, 2024
Leao wanted to “hit back” and make fun of Di Canio for what he said in his post. Since then, Paulo Fonseca, manager of AC Milan, has attempted to diffuse the tension.
Di Canio never hid his political views and at Lazio was an ally to the furthest of the Far Right reaches in the fanbase and speaking to the Corriere della Sera in 2017, the former West Ham United player insisted he had regrets over the fascist salute after a Rome derby and the Dux tattoo, which references WWII Fascist Italian leader Benito Mussolini.
“It is what I regret the most. I carry with me the symbols of what I was and what I did, including my errors, but I have never been racist.”