Saelemaekers set to miss rest of 2026 as Milan winger opts for ankle surgery

Alexis Saelemaekers is set to miss the rest of 2026 after opting for surgery on his right ankle, in a fresh blow for Milan.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Belgian will be out for more than three months and isn’t expected back until the new year.

Saelemaekers sprained the ankle in training at Milanello on 29 September, and initial scans ruled out damage to the bones and ligaments. He kept feeling severe pain when he tried to work on it, however, which led to further tests.

Milan statement on Saelemaekers’ ankle

Milan confirmed yesterday that the sprain had affected the site of an operation he had in 2024, while on loan at Roma.

“Alexis Saelemaekers underwent further tests on his right ankle, the same one operated on in 2024 to treat a fracture of the medial malleolus,” the club said. “The specialist examinations showed that the ankle, following the recent trauma in training, has lost stability at the site of the previous surgery.”

The club said a specialist assessment was under way to choose between surgery and conservative treatment, but CorSport reports the player has already decided on an operation.

It caps a difficult start under Ruben Amorim, who had not made him a regular starter in the opening six games. Saelemaekers had hoped to use the break to win back his place and earn a Belgium recall, and he is said to be very low.

Alphadjo Cisse and Christian Pulisic are the first options to replace him. Omari Hutchinson, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira are also in Amorim’s thinking until the January window.