{
  "id": 12242929,
  "title": "Milan’s Saelemaekers suffers ankle setback, faces lengthy spell out",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/milans-saelemaekers-suffers-ankle-setback-faces-lengthy-spell-out",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T22:23:35.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/06/milan-s-saelemaekers-suffers-ankle-setback-faces-lengthy-spell-out"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Belgian midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan has sustained a further injury to his right ankle, the club announced on Monday. Reports suggest the 27-year-old could be sidelined until 2027, as specialists assess the impact of the latest setback on his already unstable ankle. Saelemaekers underwent surgery on the same ankle in 2024 to address a fracture, and the recent tests have revealed that the area has lost stability since the previous operation. Milan has not provided a recovery timeline, but sources indicate the player will likely need another surgery and is unlikely to play again this season. The Belgian international was not included in new national coach Mark van Bommel's squad for the UEFA Nations League matches. Saelemaekers, once a pivotal figure under Massimiliano Allegri last season, has seen his playing time diminish under current coach Ruben Amorim. He has featured in only two of Milan's first five league games this season and has yet to score. Milan currently sits fifth in Serie A with 11 points, trailing the league leaders by two points ahead of their upcoming match against Sassuolo on Sunday.",
  "summary": "Italian media report that Alexis Saelemaekers could require another operation and may be sidelined until 2027.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Milan’s Saelemaekers suffers ankle setback, faces lengthy spell out",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/milans-saelemaekers-suffers-ankle-setback-faces-lengthy-spell-out-12244908",
        "published": "2026-10-05T22:23:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}