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The Portugal national team secured a positive momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup after defeating Chile 2-1 in a friendly match held in Oeiras, Lisbon, on Sunday (7 June 2026).

However, behind the 2-1 victory over Chile, public attention was drawn to AC Milan’s star forward, Rafael Leao.

The striker, who has recently been linked with a move away from Serie A, became the centre of controversy after receiving a red card for engaging in a brawl with a Chilean player.

The incident occurred just before the end of the first half. It began with a commotion involving Joao Cancelo and Chile’s Faundez.

The already heated situation escalated further when Chilean defender Ivan Roman entered the fray.

Leao, who initially approached to separate the players, lost his composure. Replay footage showed the 27-year-old throwing a punch toward Roman’s face.

Italian referee Luca Zufferli paused the match to review the incident before showing a straight red card to both Leao and Roman.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s effort to discuss the decision with the referee did not change the outcome. Leao was seen smiling as he walked off the pitch after being sent off.

The incident immediately raised alarms within Portugal’s camp. With the 2026 World Cup just days away, Leao’s potential absence is a major concern for coach Roberto Martinez, who considers him an integral part of his tactical setup.

Disciplinary Issues Resurface

The red card only reinforced the perception that Leao continues to struggle with discipline and emotional control.

In recent weeks, Leao has been the subject of much discussion in Italy.

Reports suggest he has grown frustrated with his situation at AC Milan and is eager to seek a new challenge in either the English Premier League or Spain’s La Liga.

The winger also endured a turbulent season last year, missing several matches due to suspensions and temporarily losing his starting spot under Milan’s new coach, Massimiliano Allegri.

For that reason, the match with Portugal was seen as the perfect opportunity for Leao to showcase his talent to the world and boost his market value ahead of the summer transfer window.

However, the opposite happened. Instead of making a difference on the pitch, Leao’s early dismissal created an additional headache for Portugal’s coaching staff.

Risk of Missing World Cup Opener?

According to regulations, a red card for violent conduct can result in a suspension of up to three matches.

If this maximum penalty is applied, Leao would miss Portugal’s final friendly against Nigeria and the first two group-stage matches of the 2026 World Cup against the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uzbekistan.

In previous cases, FIFA has sometimes reduced suspensions by placing part of the punishment under probation.

Cristiano Ronaldo once faced a similar situation after receiving a red card against the Republic of Ireland last November.

At that time, he served only a one-match ban, missing the game against Armenia, while the remainder of the suspension was suspended.

If FIFA applies a similar approach, Leao still has a strong chance of featuring during the World Cup group stage.

Portugal Remain Among the Favourites

Despite the controversy, Portugal remain one of the leading contenders for the 2026 World Cup title.

Roberto Martinez’s squad is considered well-balanced across all areas of the pitch.

Their greatest strength lies in midfield, featuring top-class players such as Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Bernardo Silva.

Bruno Fernandes just completed a remarkable season with Manchester United, recording 21 assists in the 2025/2026 Premier League campaign.

Meanwhile, Vitinha and Joao Neves played pivotal roles in helping Paris Saint-Germain win back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles.

It comes as no surprise that Portugal are regarded as favourites by many analysts. The President of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, Raja Sapta Oktohari, even publicly tipped Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates to lift the trophy.

“For the 2026 World Cup, three teams come to mind — Argentina, the Netherlands, and Portugal — but my heart leans toward Portugal,” Okto said in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (3 June 2026).

He explained that Ronaldo’s presence is a key factor, believing the 2026 World Cup will serve as the megastar’s ‘last dance’ on the world’s biggest football stage.

“Why Portugal? First, I’ve always liked Portugal, and this will also be Ronaldo’s last dance. Usually, a last dance inspires the best performance — especially for someone like Ronaldo,” he added.

Portugal have been drawn into Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On paper, the Selecao das Quinas are favourites to top the group.

However, before dreaming of lifting the trophy, Portugal must first await FIFA’s decision regarding Rafael Leao.

Amid the high expectations leading to the World Cup, this incident involving the AC Milan star is an unwanted distraction for the team.