Rafael Leão is expected to miss Nigeria’s final World Cup warm-up match on Wednesday. He was sent off in Portugal’s friendly against Chile on Saturday.
Leão saw red shortly before half-time. He punched Chile defender Iván Román in the face during a clash. The referee immediately dismissed him.
Portugal still won the match 2–1. Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scored in the second half. Román later scored a late goal for Chile.
Leão started the game after missing recent club matches for AC Milan. He had been out due to suspension and team selection decisions under coach Massimiliano Allegri.
He now faces a likely one-match ban. This would rule him out of the Nigeria friendly. Officials are still reviewing the case.
The suspension could go further. It may also affect Portugal’s World Cup group games against DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
