Leao, 27, came off the bench in Portugal's 5-0 win over Uzbekistan and capped a convincing team performance with a finish into the roof of the net in the closing minutes. He had not started either of Portugal's first two group games. After the match, speaking to DAZN Italia, he acknowledged the Amorim factor directly.
"Right now I need to stay focused on the World Cup," he said. "What I know is that this is a very good coach.
"He did well in Portugal, things didn't go as he wanted at Manchester United, but he remains a great coach. I will decide what my life will be after the World Cup."
Amorim, confirmed as Massimiliano Allegri's replacement at San Siro in mid-June, has altered the dynamic. Leao had previously indicated his time at Milan was coming to a natural end — but those comments were made while Max Allegri was still in charge, a man with whom his relationship had deteriorated badly. The prospect of working with a Portuguese compatriot has given him pause.
Zlatan Ibrahimović, serving as senior advisor to AC Milan's owners RedBird Capital and working as a pundit for Fox Sports at the World Cup, praised Leao after the goal.
"I am happy for Leao and his goal," Ibrahimović said. "For me, he is one of the best when he plays this way. It is positive for his confidence." Ibrahimović was a club teammate of Leao's at Milan and is one of the winger's declared idols.
With Leao's future unresolved, Milan are also in the market for a centre-forward to fill the specific demands of Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system. Amorim has made the position a stated priority in conversations with club leadership.
Nicolas Jackson is one option. The Chelsea striker, 25, is returning from a season on loan at Bayern Munich in which he scored eight goals in the Bundesliga and three in the Champions League, but Bayern did not trigger their purchase option. Milan have made contact with Jackson's representatives and are exploring a loan structure with an option to buy.
Chelsea's long-standing relationship with the Milan hierarchy makes such a deal workable in principle, though the London club would prefer a permanent sale.
Gonçalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain is the other name on Amorim's list. The Portuguese forward is well regarded by Milan's management but the operation is complicated by his price and competition from other clubs, including Atlético Madrid. A final decision on his future is not expected until after the World Cup.