AC Milan Fear Saelemaekers Could Miss Rest of Season With Ankle Setback
AC Milan’s injury list has worsened after Alexis Saelemaekers suffered a fresh problem with his right ankle, leaving the Belgian winger facing the possibility of another operation. The 27-year-old underwent examinations over the weekend which showed instability around the area repaired during his previous surgery, creating serious doubt over his involvement for the rest of the campaign.
What changed for Milan
Saelemaekers had surgery for a medial malleolus fracture in September 2024, but the latest checks found that the ankle has become unstable at the earlier surgical site. Milan have not made a final decision on treatment, although further surgery is viewed as the likeliest outcome.
The setback interrupts an attempt by Saelemaekers to regain his place at San Siro after successive loan spells. Since arriving from Anderlecht in 2020, he has spent 2023-24 with Bologna and 2024-25 at Roma.
He has made five appearances in all competitions for Milan this season, totalling 218 minutes, and supplied one assist in the Serie A match against Venezia. Across his Milan career, Saelemaekers has recorded 13 goals and 20 assists in 185 matches.
Milan are also dealing with the absence of Pervis Estupinan. The Ecuador international left his national-team camp after reporting substantial discomfort in his leg, with tests identifying a medial collateral ligament problem in his left knee.
Competition context
The two injuries remove options from Milan’s wide and defensive areas at a significant point in the Serie A season. The Rossoneri are fifth on 11 points, only two points behind leaders Roma.
- Saelemaekers is now a major doubt following the recurrence of his ankle issue.
- Estupinan’s knee injury was sustained during the international break.
- Milan must manage the potential loss of two first-team wide players while pursuing the leading group.
What is scheduled next
Milan’s medical staff must now determine whether Saelemaekers will undergo a second ankle operation. No final treatment plan or recovery timetable has been confirmed, while Estupinan’s availability will also depend on the assessment of his left-knee ligament injury after returning from international duty.
