{
  "id": 12362539,
  "title": "Saelemaekers set to miss rest of 2026 as Milan winger opts for ankle surgery",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/saelemaekers-set-to-miss-rest-of-2026-as-milan-winger-opts-for-ankle",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T11:05:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/saelemaekers-set-miss-rest-2026-110500885.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "AC Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers is set to miss the remainder of 2026 following his decision to undergo surgery on his right ankle. The Belgian player sustained the injury during training on September 29th and is expected to be sidelined for over three months, with a return anticipated in the new year. Saelemaekers initially sustained a sprain in training on September 29th, and despite initial scans ruling out bone or ligament damage, he continued to experience severe pain, prompting further medical tests. The club revealed that the sprain had affected an operation site from 2024, when he underwent surgery for a medial malleolus fracture while on loan at Roma. Following further tests, it has been determined that the ankle's stability has been compromised following the recent trauma. The club is currently in the process of choosing between surgical intervention and a conservative treatment approach, but according to reports from CorSport, Saelemaekers has already opted for surgery. This decision comes as a significant setback for Milan, who had not yet made Saelemaekers a regular starter in the team's first six games. The player had hoped to utilize the break to regain his place and secure a Belgium recall, but he is reportedly feeling quite low. Alphadjo Cisse, Christian Pulisic, Omari Hutchinson, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Adrien Rabiot, and Diego Moreira are among those currently considered for the winger's position until the January transfer window.",
  "summary": "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 thre...",
  "key_points": [
    "Alexis Saelemaekers to miss 2026 season due to ankle surgery",
    "Belgian winger injured during September 29 training session",
    "Surgery chosen over conservative treatment for ankle stability"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}