AC Milan Players- The 2025-26 season marks an exciting new chapter for AC Milan, one of Italy’s most historic and successful football clubs. After several seasons of fluctuating form and transition, the club has reshaped its roster with strategic signings, returning loanees, and tactical adjustments.
As of August 2025, AC Milan’s squad features a refreshing blend of world-class veterans, high-potential young stars, and new arrivals eager to establish themselves at the San Siro.
This comprehensive guide will cover everything about AC Milan for the 2025-26 season, including:
The full squad list and profiles of key players.
All new signings and transfer activity.
Insights into the predicted starting XI and tactical setup.
Key strengths, weaknesses, and depth analysis.
Expectations for Serie A and European competitions.
By the end of this article, AC Milan fans will have a clear picture of how the Rossoneri squad is shaping up for success in 2025-26.
AC Milan Squad 2025-26: Full List By Position
Goalkeepers: Leadership and Stability
Mike Maignan (Captain) – Widely regarded as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers, Maignan has cemented his place as Milan’s undisputed No.1. His leadership qualities earned him captaincy, while his reflexes, distribution, and commanding presence remain invaluable. Over the past three seasons, he has consistently ranked among Serie A’s best in terms of clean sheets and save percentage.
Pietro Terracciano (New Signing, Fiorentina – Free Transfer) – Brought in as an experienced backup, the 35-year-old provides depth and reliability. Terracciano’s experience in Serie A makes him a calm presence when called upon.
Lorenzo Torriani – A youth academy prospect, expected to learn from Maignan and possibly feature in Coppa Italia games.
📝 Analysis: With Maignan as captain, stability in goal is guaranteed. Terracciano ensures depth, while Torriani highlights Milan’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.
Defenders: Reinforcement at the Back
Milan’s major focus this summer has been strengthening the defense. The inclusion of several names shows a clear long-term vision.
Pervis Estupiñán (New Signing, Brighton – €17M): Dynamic left-back known for pace, attacking overlaps, and endurance on both ends of the pitch. He was instrumental in Brighton’s European push, showcasing crossing accuracy and relentless pressing.
Koni De Winter (New Signing, Genoa – €20M): Young Belgian defender with strong tackling ability and composure in playing from the back. Considered one of Belgium’s brightest talents, his signing signals Milan’s investment in the next generation.
Álex Jiménez: Youthful defender brought in for depth, considered highly adaptable.
Fikayo Tomori: Experienced and reliable former Chelsea defender, a consistent starter in Milan’s system. His recovery speed and anticipation have made him one of Serie A’s most consistent defenders.
Zachary Athekame (New Signing, Young Boys – €10M): A physical defender with strong aerial presence, considered one for the future.
Strahinja Pavlović (New Signing, summer 2025 window): Serbian international defender known for aggressiveness and marking ability. He impressed in the Bundesliga before Milan swooped in.
Davide Bartesaghi: Academy-grown player developing as backup in the defense.
Matteo Gabbia: A Milan product who has matured into a dependable rotational center-back.
Malick Thiaw: Tall, commanding defender expected to challenge for minutes in the back three.
Nayef Aguerd: Moroccan international with valuable tournament experience, adding leadership depth.
Filippo Terracciano: Flexible defender capable of covering multiple roles.
Emerson Royal (New Signing, Flamengo – €9M): Experienced right-back, versatile in attack and defense.
Guela Doue (New Signing): Highly promising young defender, expected to develop slowly.
📝 Analysis: Milan’s 2025-26 defense is the most bolstered area of the team. With Tomori, Pavlović, and De Winter likely forming the defensive core, the Rossoneri now have depth and flexibility unseen in past seasons.
Midfield: Where Games Will Be Won
Milan’s revamped midfield features a combination of technical and physical players:
Samuele Ricci (New Signing, Torino – €23M): A deep-lying playmaker with excellent passing and vision, set to be a central figure this season. Ricci’s role resembles Andrea Pirlo’s in terms of dictating tempo.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek: Adds size, power, and drive from central midfield. Known for surging runs through midfield.
Christian Pulisic: Used both as a winger and attacking midfielder, bringing creativity and speed.
Luka Modrić (New Signing, Real Madrid – Free): At 39, the Croatian veteran brings unmatched composure, vision, and leadership. Even in his late 30s, Modrić still ranks among Europe’s top midfielders in progressive passes.
Youssouf Fofana (New Signing, summer 2025): French international with ball-winning abilities, making him the midfield anchor.
Ardon Jashari (New Signing, Club Brugge – €34M): A big-money signing, expected to provide dynamism and energy as a box-to-box midfielder.
Alexis Saelemaekers (Returned from Roma loan): Brings versatility, able to play as a right midfielder or wing-back.
Yunus Musah: Quick, hardworking midfielder capable of playing multiple roles.
Warren Bondo: Young talent with high potential, likely rotated in cup matches.
Ismaël Bennacer (Returned from Marseille loan): A familiar Milan face, adding control and stability in midfield rotations.
Noah Okafor (Returned from Leeds): Usually an attacker, but flexible enough to feature in advanced midfield positions.
📝 Analysis: The inclusion of Ricci, Modrić, Fofana, and Jashari provides Milan with a midfield that is both creative and physically dominant. A key characteristic here is tactical flexibility, as Modrić can rest and allow Loftus-Cheek or Jashari to cover.
Forwards: Star Power Up Front
AC Milan’s frontline has always been their strength, led once again by superstar Rafael Leão.
Rafael Leão: Milan’s talisman, known for his explosive pace, dribbling, and finishing. A true game-changer.
Christian Pulisic: Integral to Milan’s attack due to his versatility, playing as forward or attacking midfielder.
Samuel Chukwueze: Known for flair and creativity, provides depth as right winger or forward.
Santiago Giménez: Exciting signing, recognized for scoring instincts inside the box.
Dušan Vlahović: The Serbian striker offers physicality, height, and lethal finishing, giving Milan an alternative No.9 option.
📝 Analysis: With Leão, Pulisic, and Giménez, AC Milan combines youth, creativity, and pure attack. Vlahović adds a more traditional center-forward presence, while Chukwueze ensures competition in wide areas.
Transfer Strategy – Building Long-Term Depth
The 2025 summer window showed Milan’s intention to balance youth signings with veteran leadership. Unlike past seasons, where Milan seemed thin in multiple areas, this year’s transfers were made with pragmatic squad rotation in mind.
Midfield Overhaul with Ricci, Jashari, Modrić, and Fofana.
Defensive Reinforcement with Estupiñán, Pavlović, De Winter, and Royal.
Backups and Rotation filled through Terracciano and academy promotions.
This ensures Milan can fight on multiple fronts including Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Champions League.
Read More:
Ben Shelton (2025) — Rising American tennis star.
Arsenal vs Aston Villa (2025) — Premier League clash recap.
Predicted AC Milan Starting XI for 2025-26
Preferred Formation: 3-5-2
Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
Defense (Back 3): Fikayo Tomori – Koni De Winter – Strahinja Pavlović
Wing-Backs: Pervis Estupiñán (Left) – Alexis Saelemaekers (Right)
Midfield Trio: Samuele Ricci – Youssouf Fofana – Luka Modrić (or Loftus-Cheek as rotation)
Forward Pairing: Rafael Leão – Christian Pulisic
Tactical Analysis
Defensive Structure: Milan’s new back line is built for solidity. De Winter and Pavlović bring fresh strength, while Tomori provides experience.
Midfield Dynamics: Ricci acts as a regista, Modrić supplies creativity, and Fofana shields the defense.
Attacking Fluidity: Leão and Pulisic stretch defenses with pace and movement, while Giménez and Vlahović rotate based on opponents.
Flexibility: In tougher fixtures, Jashari or Loftus-Cheek can slot in for physical battles.
Squad Depth and Rotation Options
Defense: If De Winter is unavailable, Gabbia replaces him without weakening the back line. Malick Thiaw is also waiting for chances.
Midfield: Ricci and Fofana are untouchable, but Jashari, Loftus-Cheek, and Bennacer ensure cover.
Attack: Leão is untouchable, while Chukwueze and Vlahović bring variety for rotation.
Season Expectations
Serie A: Milan are among the top contenders, with Juventus, Napoli, and Inter providing stiff competition.
Champions League: With squad depth and balance, Milan should aim for a quarterfinal finish at minimum.
Key Strengths: Depth in defense and midfield, star power up front, leadership of veterans.
Key Weaknesses: Integration of too many new players could take time. Injuries to Maignan or Leão would drastically affect performances.
Read More:
Santos FC Standings (2025) — Current Serie A table.
La Liga Rankings 2025/26 — Latest Spanish league standings.
Broader Context and Historical Parallels
Milan’s current squad depth is reminiscent of the mid-2000s golden era, where veterans like Maldini, Seedorf, and Pirlo mixed with rising stars.
The club’s financial stability after restructuring under RedBird Capital has allowed smarter investments compared to reckless past spending.
Milan’s youth policy is once again central, echoing the famous Milan Lab philosophy, which combined experience with player development.
European rivals such as Bayern, Real Madrid, and Manchester City will be measuring sticks for Milan’s Champions League ambitions.
Conclusion
AC Milan enters the 2025-26 season with renewed ambition. A mixture of world-class stars (Leão, Maignan, Modrić), big summer signings (Ricci, Estupiñán, Jashari, De Winter), and trusted returnees (Bennacer, Saelemaekers) ensures that manager Stefano Pioli (or his successor) has one of the most competitive Rossoneri squads in recent years.
With a balanced 3-5-2 formation and depth across all key positions, AC Milan are not only contenders in Serie A but also potential dark horses in the Champions League.
For fans at the San Siro, this promises to be a thrilling season filled with excitement, tactical variety, and possibly silverware.
Read More:
Sporting CP Players (2025) — Key players from Sporting Clube de Portugal.
England vs Colombia (2025) — Rivalry and recent matches.
To Read More; click here