Milan's injury list just got longer, and one of the names on it might be gone for a good while. Alexis Saelemaekers, the 27-year-old Belgian winger, is facing the likelihood of a second operation on his right ankle after tests showed the joint has lost stability at the site of the previous surgery.
The ankle problem
The earlier operation, in September 2024, repaired a fracture of the medial malleolus. The new findings came after consultations with specialists over ankle instability, and the likely outcome is another procedure. It is a frustrating turn for a player who had only recently settled back into the Milan squad.
Saelemaekers has made five appearances this season, totalling 218 minutes, and provided one assist, against Venezia. He came back to Milan after loan spells at Bologna in 2023-24 and Roma in 2024-25. For the club he has 13 goals and 20 assists in 185 appearances.
Estupinan out too
He is not the only problem. Full-back Pervis Estupinan suffered an injury while on international duty with Ecuador. The diagnosis is a collateral medial ligament problem in his left knee, and he had to withdraw from the national squad.
Where Milan stand
The timing is awkward, because Milan are in a decent position. They sit fifth in Serie A with 11 points, two behind leaders Roma. Losing a winger and a full-back at the same time thins the squad on the flanks just as the table is tight.
Injury facts: Saelemaekers: right ankle instability, previous medial malleolus fracture surgery September 2024. Estupinan: left knee collateral medial ligament injury. Milan fifth in Serie A on 11 points. Source: Goal.com, 5 October 2026. Photo is from 2023.
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