Milan’s season has reached another difficult turn with Alexis Saelemaekers facing a far longer absence than first expected. What initially appeared to be a right-ankle problem that could be managed within days has developed into an issue linked to his previous surgery, leaving the Belgian likely to miss the remainder of 2026 and begin again only in the new year.
The coach and the club
Saelemaekers sustained a sprain to his right ankle during a training session at Milanello a week ago. Initial scans had ruled out bone and ligament damage, giving Milan hope that the setback would be limited.
That outlook changed when the player attempted to resume work in recent days and felt significant pain. Further examinations were arranged by the club’s medical staff, with the investigations finding that the latest trauma had affected the area operated on in 2024, when Saelemaekers was at Roma recovering from a fracture of the medial malleolus.
Milan confirmed that the ankle had lost stability at the site of that earlier operation after the recent training injury. The club said specialist assessments were under way to determine the most suitable treatment route, with surgery and conservative treatment both considered.
Saelemaekers is understood to have chosen an operation intended to restore stability to the joint. The procedure is expected to keep him out for more than three months, meaning his return to competitive football is projected for 2027.
- Saelemaekers suffered the ankle sprain at Milanello.
- Early tests excluded fractures and ligament lesions.
- Pain during his attempted recovery led to additional specialist checks.
- The examinations identified instability connected to the 2024 operation.
- Surgery is expected to require an absence extending beyond three months.
A season interrupted again
The injury arrives in a season that had already begun awkwardly for the 27-year-old. Under Ruben Amorim, Saelemaekers had not been among the regular starters over the opening six matches and had played less than he had hoped.
He had intended to use the international break to work his way back into the starting side and rebuild his case for a return to the Belgium squad. Instead, the extended lay-off has dealt a heavy psychological blow, with the player deeply disappointed by the prospect of weeks away from the pitch.
When he does return, Saelemaekers will have to fight again for his place in a Milan side that must now cover his absence across the attacking midfield positions.
Amorim’s options
Christian Pulisic and Cisse are expected to be the first alternatives, while Amorim can also consider Omari Hutchinson and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the advanced roles.
Other possibilities include moving Adrien Rabiot closer to the forward line or using Diego Moreira higher up, as Milan have done on a couple of occasions already. Amorim will assess the available solutions over the coming days, while the January window could give the club an opportunity to strengthen the squad if needed.
