José Altafini criticizes AC Milan and Rafael Leão

Former AC Milan striker José Altafini has offered a critical assessment of the club’s current state and its players in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Reflecting on his career, Altafini recalled Milan’s first European Cup victory in 1963 against Benfica, noting the tactical adjustments made by Cesare Maldini and the impact of the team’s performance.

Regarding the modern squad, Altafini expressed dissatisfaction with the current roster construction. He contrasted the current team with the era of Gullit, Van Basten, and Rijkaard, suggesting that the present Milan has acquired many players who lack sufficient momentum. He specifically criticized Rafael Leão, stating that it often appears as though the player is “playing to do you a favor” rather than with full intensity.

In contrast to his views on Milan, Altafini praised Como for their current style of play in Serie A. On a personal note, he shared that he currently lives in Alessandria and works as a testimonial for a synthetic turf company, Italgreen.