AC Milan star Rafael Leao Will Miss Next 2026 World Cup Match Due to Injury and Coach's Dissatisfaction

The Portuguese national team faced a serious personnel loss on the eve of a key match in the qualifying stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Forward Rafael Leão, one of the team's leading players and a star of Italian "Milan," will not be able to help his national team in the upcoming match against Hungary. The reasons for this decision are not only an incompletely healed injury but also the alleged dissatisfaction of the head coach with his recent performance.

The 26-year-old footballer has not yet fully recovered from an injury received in a recent Italian Cup match with his club. An additional factor that influenced the coaching staff's decision was Leão's performance in the previous match against Ireland, where he spent only 29 minutes on the field. The national team's head coach Roberto Martinez, according to available information, was dissatisfied with the forward's actions in this match.

In connection with this, Rafael Leão has already left the national team's location and headed to his club to continue medical examination and speedy rehabilitation. The match between Portugal and Hungary, which has important tournament significance for qualification to the 2026 World Cup, will take place on October 14. The absence of one of the key attacking players will certainly be a serious challenge for the Portuguese team but will also provide an opportunity for other players to prove themselves and earn a place in the starting lineup.