AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer is set for a lengthy period on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury.
The 26-year-old Algeria international is expected to be out for about four months after undergoing surgery on his right calf in Finland, the Serie A club announced on Monday.
“AC Milan can confirm that Ismaël Bennacer underwent surgery in Finland this morning. The operation on his right calf was performed by Dr Lasse Lempainen. His recovery period is estimated to be four months,” a statement from the club read.
Bennacer, who suffered the injury while on international duty with Algeria’s Desert Foxes this month, is out for the rest of the year and will possibly return to action early 2025 barring any setbacks.
After playing a part in Algeria’s 2-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in their opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the former Arsenal and Empoli midfielder injured his calf during a training session ahead of their second Group E game against Liberia, which they eventually won 3-0.
The midfielder thanked fans with a message on his social media account, promising them to be back stronger and in no time.
The post read: “Hi Everyone. My calf surgery this morning went well.
“Thank you all for your messages and support that motivate me to come back as soon as possible. I will give everything to come back stronger.
“See you soon on the field.”
Ciao a tutti,
La mia operazione al polpaccio di questa mattina è andata bene.
Grazie a tutti per i vostri messaggi e il vostro sostegno che mi motivano a tornare il più presto possibile. Darò tutto per tornare più forte.
Ci vediamo presto sul campo ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/KjgtDrAgSG
— Ismaël Bennacer (@IsmaelBennacer) September 16, 2024
Bennacer, who was part of the Algerian team that won the AFCON in 2019 and was named Player of the Tournament, has played 171 times for Milan since joining the Rossoneri in 2019. He helped Milan to Serie A triumph in the 2021-22 season.
The combative midfielder will miss the rest of Algeria’s AFCON 2025 qualifying matches, starting with their double-header against Togo next month.
