Milan’s season has been dealt a further blow, with Alexis Saelemaekers facing a rehabilitation period of around four to five months after surgery on his right ankle. The Belgian winger is now expected to be unavailable until somewhere between February and March 2027, provided his recovery proceeds without setbacks.
It is a significant absence for Ruben Amorim and Milan at a delicate point in the campaign. Saelemaekers had stopped during training on 29 September after discomfort returned in an ankle that had already required an operation in 2024. With the pain continuing, subsequent examinations identified reduced stability in the joint and prompted the club to seek further specialist advice in Amsterdam.
The decision was taken to operate again. Dr Gino Kerkhoffs carried out an arthroscopic clean-up and stabilisation procedure in the Netherlands, with Milan medical staff members Dr Andrea Bulgheroni and Mantovani present. The club confirmed that the operation had been successful, and Saelemaekers will now begin the long rehabilitation programme required to return to competitive football.
The injury list has also grown at the back. Matteo Gabbia was taken from the field on a stretcher during Milan’s match at Sassuolo, and tests have revealed a left hamstring injury with partial tendon involvement. The defender will undergo a specialist consultation in the coming days to determine whether surgery is necessary or whether a conservative treatment plan can be followed.
Either route would keep Gabbia out for at least three to four months. With Saelemaekers and Gabbia both facing extended spells away from the side, Milan must navigate the coming months without two players who would otherwise have offered continuity across a demanding season.
