AC Milan’s turbulent season took another dramatic turn after a heated confrontation between Kyle Walker and Joao Felix during their recent Serie A defeat to Napoli. The clash highlighted the ongoing struggles of the Rossoneri, as both players continue to adjust to life at the Italian club amid a series of frustrating results.
Kyle Walker, the experienced right-back on loan from Manchester City, was caught on camera expressing his frustration with Portuguese forward Joao Felix, who joined Milan on loan from Chelsea in January. As Milan trailed 2-0 at halftime, Walker was seen confronting Felix in the dressing room, urging him to pass the ball more effectively.
Kyle Walker’s Stern Advice to Joao Felix
As the players made their way out from the dressing room for the second half, Walker’s voice rang out, telling Felix: “Pass the ball, we are not Messi.” The comment, which some may interpret as a direct critique of Felix’s playing style, was aimed at the forward’s tendency to try and take on opponents rather than involving his teammates. Walker, 34, clearly grew frustrated with Felix’s unwillingness to pass, especially as Milan struggled to break down a resilient Napoli defense.
Walker to Felix “PASS THE BALL WE ARE NOT MESSI” #Chelsea #ACMilan #NapoliACMilan #CFC pic.twitter.com/7UNFbZCuen
— The African Lad (@TheAfricanLad25) March 31, 2025
However, Felix didn’t seem to heed Walker’s advice. Just 10 minutes into the second half, Milan’s manager, Sergio Conceicao, opted to substitute Felix, hoping to change the game’s momentum. Despite these efforts, Milan couldn’t turn things around, and the match ended in a 2-1 defeat, leaving the team in a precarious position in Serie A.
Walker’s Struggles at AC Milan
Kyle Walker’s move to AC Milan, initially met with optimism, has been far from smooth. The defender, who joined the Serie A side in search of regular first-team football, had a solid start, going unbeaten in his first three appearances. During that period, Milan’s defense looked resolute, allowing just two goals. However, the loss to Napoli, combined with his individual errors, showed that Walker’s adaptation to Italian football is taking longer than expected.
In the match against Napoli, Walker’s performance was heavily criticized. He was given a 4.5 rating by the Italian outlet Sempre Milan, with the assessment pointing out a crucial mistake in the build-up to Napoli’s second goal. Walker’s failure to track the run of Alessandro Buongiorno played Romelu Lukaku onside, which led to the goal. This was a significant error for a player of Walker’s experience, and his performance in the game did not go unnoticed by fans and pundits alike.
Despite his experience, Walker failed to deliver the level of defensive solidity that Milan had hoped for. Although he made some promising forward runs, his crosses were often off target, and his defensive lapses continued to cost Milan dearly.
Joao Felix’s Struggles at AC Milan
Joao Felix, who was once considered one of Europe’s brightest young talents, has found life at AC Milan just as challenging. After a strong debut, where he scored in his first match, Felix has failed to find the back of the net in his next 10 appearances. His inability to score or consistently contribute in attack has been a source of frustration for both fans and coaches.
The 24-year-old forward, who joined Milan from Chelsea on loan, was expected to provide a creative spark in the attacking third, but his performances have been largely underwhelming. Felix’s individual brilliance has not translated into consistent team play, and his reluctance to pass the ball to teammates has become a growing concern. Walker’s outburst, calling him out for his lack of teamwork, may indicate how frustrated the team’s senior players have become with the Portuguese attacker’s approach to the game.
Milan’s Decline in Serie A
AC Milan, seven-time European champions, are currently languishing in ninth place in Serie A, a staggering 20 points behind league leaders Inter Milan. The club’s struggles this season are evident, and the pressure on manager Sergio Conceicao has intensified with each passing match. Despite Milan’s illustrious history and high expectations, the team has found it difficult to compete at the top level in Italy this season.
The defeat to Napoli was another blow to Milan’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot, and their recent form in the league has raised serious questions about their ability to turn things around. Both Walker and Felix were expected to be key players in the squad, but their individual struggles have mirrored the overall decline of the team.
The Pressure on AC Milan’s Stars
With Milan sitting well outside the top four and facing an uphill battle to secure a European spot next season, the pressure is mounting on the club’s star players to perform. Walker’s frustration with Felix was not just about one game – it was a reflection of the bigger picture at AC Milan. The team is not functioning as a cohesive unit, and individual errors, poor decision-making, and lack of teamwork have contributed to their slide down the table.
The Rossoneri will now look to their next match in the Coppa Italia semi-final against rivals Inter Milan as an opportunity to salvage their season. Walker, Felix, and the rest of the team will need to find a way to overcome their personal struggles and perform as a collective unit if they are to avoid a disappointing end to the campaign.
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