Club football is on pause as we enter the first international break of 2025, with AC Milan having a large number of players involved.
It is actually the final break of the 2024-25 season despite being the first of the year, and just like usual a big portion of the squad will fly around Europe and even across the continents to represent their national team.
In fact, 15 Rossoneri players have headed off to play for their countries in Nations League fixtures (UEFA and CONCACAF) but also World Cup 2026 qualifiers to be played. There are also some youth internationals that have been summoned.
Those who have not been selected will remain at Milanello to work with Sergio Conceicao, and for some players – like Youssouf Fofana, for example – this might well be a blessing. Others will be watched closely while abroad, such as Theo Hernandez given his calf discomfort.
Below is the full breakdown of the international involvement for the Milan squad, who will reconvene in full later next week.
Theo Hernández and Mike Maignan (France)
➤ Croatia v France: Thursday 20 March at 20:45 CET, Split – UEFA Nations League
➤ France v Croatia: Sunday 23 March at 20:45 CET, Saint-Denis – UEFA Nations League
João Félix and Rafael Leão (Portugal)
➤ Denmark v Portugal: Thursday 20 March at 20:45 CET, Copenhagen – UEFA Nations League
➤ Portugal v Denmark: Sunday 23 March at 20:45 CET, Lisbon – UEFA Nations League
Luka Jović and Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia)
➤ Austria v Serbia: Thursday 20 March at 20:45 CET, Vienna – UEFA Nations League
➤ Serbia v Austria: Sunday 23 March at 20:45 CET, Belgrade – UEFA Nations League
Yunus Musah and Christian Pulisic (USA)
➤ USA v Panama: Friday 21 March at 00:00 CET, Los Angeles – CONCACAF Nations League
➤ USA v Mexico/Canada: Monday 24 March at 00:00 CET, Los Angeles – CONCACAF Nations League
Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)
➤ Rwanda v Nigeria: Friday 21 March at 17:00, Kigali – 2026 World Cup qualifiers
➤ Nigeria v Zimbabwe: Tuesday 25 March at 17:00, Uyo – 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Santiago Gimenez (Mexico)
➤ Mexico v Canada: Friday 21 March at 04:00 CET, Los Angeles (USA) – CONCACAF Nations League
➤ Mexico v USA/Panama: Monday 24 March at 00:00 CET, Los Angeles (USA) – CONCACAF Nations League
Tijjani Reijnders (Netherlands)
➤ Netherlands v Spain: Thursday 20 March at 20:45 CET, Rotterdam – UEFA Nations League
➤ Spain v Netherlands: Sunday 23 March at 20:45 CET, Valencia – UEFA Nations League
Kyle Walker (England)
➤ England v Albania: Friday 21 March at 20:45 CET, London – 2026 World Cup qualifiers
➤ England v Latvia: Monday 24 March at 20:45 CET, London – 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Davide Bartesaghi and Lorenzo Torriani (Italy U20)
➤ Türkiye v Italy: Thursday 20 March at 17:00 CET, Istanbul – Elite League U20
Francesco Camarda (Italy U19)
➤ Italy v Latvia: Wednesday 19 March at 17:00 CET, Crotone – Elite League U19
➤ Italy v Spain: Saturday 22 March at 17:00 CET, Catanzaro – Elite League U19
➤ Italy v France: Tuesday 25 March at 15:00 CET, Catanzaro – Elite League U19
More internationals… 😴 I wonder who’ll get injured this time…
More than half of CP’s injuries have come while on international duty. For those that haven’t watched a CONCACAF competitive match, it’s a blood sport. Think Scottish lower division derby match or an Argentina v. Brazil youth match. I believe CONCACAF gets their referees from the World Wrestling Federation.
Walker is still called to NT? Isn’t England have many good player at right back
Heads up, the time of the second USA and Mexico matches depends on whether those teams make the final or have to play a 3rd place game. Christian and Yunes have to beat Panama and Santi has to beat Canada.
I’d imagine the USA will win their game but that Mexico will have trouble against a very strong Canada side.
Turns out Mexico won and US shock loss to Panama. So it will be USA vs Canada. Here’s hoping for a US win and no injuries to Pulisic or Musah (both of whom played poorly against Panama).