Average with a few either side: 2025-26 ratings for each Milan player and next steps

With the season finalising and the madness settling a bit, we have now been given a chance to look at the ratings for the AC Milan players this season.

It was a tale of two halves for Milan. They started the season looking like a potential Scudetto challenger. Yet, they ended it failing to qualify for the Champions League; a dismal season considering the context.

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It kick-started plenty of change across the club, which has prevented us from taking a step back to look at the season. But, with quiet settling across the club, we have had the chance to look.

So, here are the ratings for the 2025/26 season, 

Goalkeepers

Pietro Terracciano

There is little to say about Terracciano’s season, really, given he only played a game and a half. However, it feels necessary to put him into this ratings section. He didn’t put a foot wrong in his 124 minutes, keeping two clean sheets.

At 36, he is a solid option to have around the group and a good enough back-up option for Maignan, or whoever comes next…

Minutes: 124
Rating: 6/10
Action to take: Keep

Mike Maignan

Right, where to start with Maignan? The Frenchman played the most minutes for the Rossoneri this season, so it feels odd to put him in the rankings second. Nevertheless, here we are and this is the way it’s worked.

There have been too many games where Maignan has kept Milan in a game this season with his saves, either in open play or with penalties. He’s made two penalty saves and they came in big moments in the season.

Yet, he’s conceded 35 goals in 37 games, which for one of the best goalkeepers in the world, is not the best… It also needs to be said that, whilst he has been fantastic in moments, he has also been quite poor in others.

In recent seasons, he has been all too vulnerable at his near post and despite some of his biggest moments, he still lacks some of the top, top qualities to be the best goalkeeper in the world.

Unfortunately, the errors are too often to really consider him immovable. There can be no denying that he is great, but he just hasn’t taken the leap forward and it seems unlikely that he will do that in the next few years…

Then, there is the issue of the future. With Massimiliano Allegri’s departure, he is now uncertain for next season, especially with no Champions League football and so he could be sacrificed in the summer. The question, then, is do the Diavolo sacrifice him?

From our view, he’s far from unsellable, but it depends on the price. With his contract renewal, he cannot be sold on the cheap. At the same time, though, he is well within his rights to seek a move in a second successive season without Champions League football.

As you’d expect, analysing his future is tough. However, for the right price, it may be time to part ways…

Minutes: 3,656
Rating: 6/10
Action to take: Sell for the right price

Defenders

David Odogu

Odogu just needs time. He shouldn’t have stayed in the summer – he probably shouldn’t have arrived, in all honesty – but he needs to be developed. A loan move this summer is essential for a player who just hasn’t been utilised properly by the Rossoneri.

Minutes: 16
Rating: N/A
Action to take: Loan him out

Zachary Athekame

The expectations on Athekame were not massively high and now that the season has ended, they have not really been raised. It’s clear that he is one for the future, but that feels like a little bit of an insult for the Swiss defender.

Indeed, he has proven that he can play a big part when needed, popping up with some big performances when required and scoring some decent goals.

He is in the ‘Mishandled by Allegri’ group too, unfortunately. Considering he never really got a run of games, due to the Italian’s love of Alexis Saelemaekers, he never really was given a major chance to shine.

We are also not much clearer whether he is a wing-back or a right-back. So, he needs to be seen more next season before we can really assess his future. There were certainly bright sparks from his 873 minutes this season, but it is difficult to really say more than that.

Minutes: 873
Rating: 6/10
Action to take: Keep

Pervis Estupiñán

What do you really say about Estupinan? Thank you for the goal against Inter, but it’s time to go perhaps? He is very similar to Emerson Royal in the sense that he had shown a decent level before arriving and even had his moments at San Siro.

However, the mistakes quickly overshadowed any good from him. Remembering specific poor moments is really tough because there are, unfortunately, that many.

You could definitely say that replacing Theo Hernandez made his life instantly more difficult and perhaps that pressure got to him. Maybe (probably) he just never should have replaced him. Hindsight is a beautiful thing.

For the price, he didn’t seem like a bad option at the time; hopefully, another club sees him in that same light. His time at the club already seems like it’s over.

Minutes: 1,303
Rating: 4/10
Action to take: Sell

Koni De Winter

It was a season of two halves for De Winter. Many disagreed with the decision to sign him and perhaps he would have been better received with another rotational option arriving as well. Nevertheless, that was not the case and he struggled in the first months of the season.

It’s almost like a pre-Napoli and post-Napoli case for him.

Another player who was ‘outside’ of the Allegri favourites, most probably expected him to see fewer minutes this season. However, he played a fair amount in the second half of the season on the right of the back three and also in the middle.

In both roles, he seemed comfortable, though you’d probably prefer him on the right as Fikayo Tomori’s replacement. A composed defender who is comfortable with the ball at his feet, is he a world beater right now? No. Does he have the potential to improve substantially? Yes.

He is only 23 and already seems to have overcome the pressures of playing at San Siro, if he gets a bigger role next season, it wouldn’t be undeserved. Though most would still prefer it if a first-team defender arrived.

Minutes: 2,047
Rating: 6/10
Action to take: Promote to first choice if no one arrives

Davide Bartesaghi

Before the season, there were suggestions that Bartesaghi could play a part in Allegri’s team this season. However, no one expected him to end the season as Theo’s replacement. Indeed, the Italian youngster got his chance and never really looked back.

For a solid chunk of the season, he was one of the first names on the team sheet, an embodiment of Milanismo, a solid defender and capable of causing danger going forward. There was little to complain about.

You would not think he was just 20 years old.

However, he certainly succumbed to the second half of the season and looked mentally and physically drained and this is where he started to make silly mistakes. Saying this, though, we cannot and won’t be too harsh.

He has never played more minutes in a season – Primavera or not – and he has never played more games. Again, at 20 years old, there are going to be hiccups and ultimately, he has never shied away from them. If you watched the team this season and everyone looked the same, etc, etc, you wouldn’t think Bartesaghi was a 20-year-old playing his first season of senior football.

A strong opening to life with the senior team, long may it continue.

Minutes: 2,536
Rating: 7/10
Action to take: Secure his future

Matteo Gabbia

Another example of Milanismo, Gabbia has regularly been the guy for Milan. He has not been perfect, probably far from it. However, he took the reins of the defence, playing in the middle role of a back three and that has encapsulated him.

It is so Gabbia, in that respect. He has just taken the lead so often and this has even been the case in press conferences after the game and whilst we’d want to focus more on his time on the pitch, we cannot overlook his commitments off of it.

When the Rossoneri were in their rut, he fronted up to the media, a role that no one wants to play. Yet, he came out, defended his teammates and tried to offer some words for the fans. That is not an easy role, but he did it, time after time. He didn’t wear the armband regularly this season, but he led the team and few would be opposed if he were the armband’s heir.

There were occasional mistakes and he is another player who is not a world-beater. Nevertheless, Gabbia has never been that player, so to rate him on that metric would be unfair. Yet another solid season from him, where he has often just gone about his business in silence.

For a defender, that is all you need 99% of the time.

Minutes: 2,621
Rating: 7.5/10
Action to take: Promote to captain if Maignan leaves

Fikayo Tomori

Tomori is another in the ‘difficult’ section. As the most senior member of Allegri’s backline, he was always going to play a big part in the season. However, he was never really too far away from questions. Of course, he had solid games and playing in one of the better defences in Europe (for most of the season) allows you a certain rating.

When it was bad, though, it was pretty bad and that has unfortunately summarised the Englishman in recent years. There was a feature written a few years ago that said Milan would go as far as Tomori would take them, and that has remained the case.

At their best, he looked solid, shaky, but always doing enough. When they capitulated, though, so did he. He just has never taken that next step and it may be time for the parties to split while his stock is still somewhat of an opportunity. At 28 years old, you are no longer holding onto him with the hope that he’ll get majorly better. So, you can probably find better for around the same price.

Not a terrible season, but another Tomori one; make of that what you will…

Minutes: 2,923
Rating: 5/10
Action to take: Sell

Alexis Saelemaekers

Saelemaekers could be in the midfield category, but if we’re including Davide Bartesaghi here, the Belgian also should be here. Anyway, that’s enough about positions. He had a really strange season if we’re being honest and it’s tough to really rate him.

Having grown into this wing-back role in recent years, he combines both roles really well. He isn’t the greatest winger and he’s certainly not the greatest defender. Yet, he does the basics of both sides to a solid degree and that makes him a prime candidate for a wing-back.

There can be no denying that he has scored some very important goals this season – on the final day and even earlier in the season – and his rating would probably be higher with a couple more.

However, he just isn’t a star and whilst Allegri was very keen on him, he trailed off towards the end of the season. So, that has perhaps damaged his rating as he grew to look pretty drained physically.

A pretty solid season, certainly, but he would definitely have benefited from a bit more rotation.

Minutes: 3,077
Rating: 7/10
Action to take: Depends on the new coach

Strahinja Pavlović

Who thought we’d be here, Pavlovic as the most used and perhaps best defender of the season? Now, that is no slight on him. It appeared that he could have left last summer, but the Diavolo stuck by their investment and thank goodness they did!

He is far from perfect defensively, perhaps still a little eager. However, his reading of the game has gotten much better and he is a lot less nervous at the back. In other words, he looks like is starting to deliver on his potential, which is only a good thing.

More importantly, too, he looks comfortable in Serie A and it is clear that he has a significant future ahead of him.

The most impressive thing, though, was the recreation of him as an attacking defender. Not only was he solid at the back, but he was also pretty solid going forward, and that was baffling, yet brilliant.

There have already been rumours that he could depart this summer, with interest in him already growing. However, that just feels like a terrible decision from the Rossoneri’s perspective. He is an asset with a rising price tag and selling him prematurely would be a major issue.

You could call him the player of the season, perhaps, and we don’t think there would be too many disgruntled about that. Definitely the most improved and something which we can only commend him for. A fantastic season.

Minutes: 3,219
Rating: 8.5/10
Action to take: Secure his future

Midfielders

Ardon Jashari

Looking at Jashari’s season is more than confusing. He arrived after months of negotiations, which probably had an impact on the expectations for him, as did the fee. However, he got injured before the season really got going.

It took a few months for him to come back and then he just struggled to get a chance. So, it is really difficult to assess him. He was rarely given a chance as an eight – where he seems to want to play – and displacing Luka Modric is a job that anyone would struggle with.

So, it feels tough to really and, more importantly, accurately rate him. He certainly looked novice-y in games; there can be no denying that. There were several switch-offs from him, but that can be attributed to a lack of games.

What we saw, from a good perspective, is a player who looks keen to get involved and can play some nice passes. He needs time and a bit of consistency moving forward. However, we can’t really critique him for his season; instead, he is limited by time.

Minutes: 880
Rating: 5.5/10
Action to take: Keep and develop

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Loftus-Cheek is a unicorn player, someone who undoubtedly provides value, but the squad has to be right for him. Ultimately, the Rossoneri do not have the squad to support the Englishman. His injury record this season was not as bad, but he never looked like a starter.

He had a run of games, certainly, but the spot never seemed his. As a striker, as a midfielder, he never seemed to be locked in. Yet, he always seemed like he could aid the squad…

It gets to a point, though, and there isn’t really a position for him anymore. He doesn’t provide the value that you’d hope for, nor is he likely to step up and fill that position. For a player on a decent contract, you probably need to sell this summer, especially with his deal up next year.

As a luxury player, he’s pretty worthwhile and if the Diavolo were in a better position squad-wise, maybe his future would be more difficult to assess. But, in the least harsh way possible, it’s not, so his future is clear.

Minutes: 1,453
Rating: 4.5/10
Action to take: Sell

Samuele Ricci

Ricci is another in the difficult bracket – we’re going to be saying that a lot – he never really got a run of games, but he never really did enough to earn that. So, giving a cameo player a rating is really tough. Again, you can argue that he was misused, though.

He seems to prefer a deeper position and whilst he never did awfully as an eight, he seemed like he would be better in that middle spot of the three. Yet, Luka Modric being displaced seemed impossible, which is neither of their faults.

He will be 25 next season and you wouldn’t suggest that he needs to go, far from it. Instead, if used more appropriately – especially in the Europa League – he could be a real player for whoever comes in next. An unfair season to really rate, but certainly not a standout.

Minutes: 1,499
Rating: 5.5/10
Action to take: Keep

Youssouf Fofana

Fofana seemed immovable for a lot of the season, so his minutes are not really too much of a surprise. Yet, it was another season of questions for him. He is not the youngest player, so you’re not really in a ‘development’ stage of his career. Yet, he is a bit of an unfinished product.

In many ways, he is pretty ideal. He isn’t a show stopper, but he does what he needs to and that is needed in a midfield three. It isn’t always glamorous. However, he does have the showy pass in his locker, too. Look at the assist for Christopher Nkunku against Fiorentina, for example.

However, with only five contributions (2g/3a), he was far from hitting the goal which Allegri set at the start of the season. He had chances, certainly, but he just seems too indecisive and not clinical enough. Perhaps that is an issue with tactics, though, rather than him exactly.

After all, he complained about his role in the second half of the season, so he may have been uncomfortable with it.

He’s a very solid option and whilst he is flawed, you couldn’t say that he’s a bad option to have…

Minutes: 2,373
Rating: 6.5/10
Action to take: Keep, unless a profit opportunity arises

Adrien Rabiot

When Rabiot was linked, you knew it was Allegri hoping to get another of his favourites back in the squad. By the end of the season, Jonathan Rowe may not have had to buy a drink in Milano. Indeed, it is thanks to him that he arrived.

The Frenchman almost instantly revolutionised the midfield, adding that workman engine and more importantly, a deadly touch. He thrived in a system that seemed built for him and he found himself creating chances on a regular basis.

There was never a reason to take him out of the team and it would be fair to suggest that he was one of the first few names on the teamsheet since he signed (and when he was available), maybe the first…

With 10 contributions, he provided everything that Allegri needed him to, whilst also doing the dirty work that you need from a midfielder. There is not a bad word to say about the galloping Frenchman. A fantastic signing, a fantastic season. Thank you, Mr Rowe.

Minutes: 2,820
Rating: 8.5/10
Action to take: Keep, with a capital K

Luka Modrić

Luka Modric.

When he was in the process of signing, there were questions about how much he’d do for Milan. A 39-year-old may not have been able to start every game and that would have been understandable. However, it was a statement of the club’s intentions and a sign that the pull was still there.

If nothing else, it was a nice chapter in a story. Then he took to the pitch.

Game after game, you just saw what he brought to Real Madrid in his prime. Everything was in his stride, at his tempo. Even at 40-years-old, you could just tell he had it. Players like that are rare and yet, if only for a season, what a year it was.

He inspired the Diavolo throughout the season and that is telling about his quality. What a player and another fantastic season.

Minutes: 2,864
Rating: 8.5/10
Action to take: Hope.

Forwards

Niclas Füllkrug

After everything that has since come out, we can’t be too harsh on Fullkrug. He was brought in as a physical option and with no budget available, he wasn’t a bad choice. With the money that became available, he was. However, he couldn’t do anything about that.

It is clear that he was not up to the standard required, but he still offered a little bit when needed. In fairness, he did have a bit of an impact at first and looked like a decent option for the other strikers, which was needed.

After all, the front line needed a striker of that type and he instantly provided it. With a few more goals, he’d be viewed very positively because he did his job. He came in as a physical striker to help the others, which ultimately gets forgotten.

Igli Tare did not sign him to score 20 goals. Instead, he wanted an assistant to the plethora of second strikers in the squad and he did that. Yes, he wasn’t the best option. But, for what he was and for what was needed, there have been plenty of examples of worse.

It’s difficult to give him a passing grade, but he did his job pretty well. Had others around him done more, perhaps he would be viewed differently. Instead, he became somewhat of a poster for another poor season, dare we say unfairly…

As an option for €5m next season, maybe, just maybe, he may be worth considering…

Minutes: 648
Rating: 5/10
Action to take: Consider, perhaps…

Santiago Gimenez

Gimenez is another in the difficult category. Ultimately, we have no clue how bad his injury was at the start of the season, but there were suggestions that it had been niggling for longer than it took for the Mexican to succumb to it.

Returning from that injury was tough and he never really got back going at the tail end of the season. So, he ends the season without a goal. Yes, that is bad and the statistic is pretty unavoidable. However, there are things to look at.

First and foremost, he wasn’t that bad. The goal record is, there is no hiding from that. Yet, he was regularly in the right positions and he was getting regular chances. They may have been squandered, but he’s doing half of the job right.

Psychologically, the season also had to have played a part on him. Ultimately, he was told he was being sold all summer and it seemed like he was going to be forced out of the club, but he survived. Then, he was rarely given chances when he returned.

That is difficult for a young striker, especially a fan of the club, who is still adapting to a new country and a new league…

Logically, it makes sense to part ways, but there’s still that feeling that maybe, just maybe, he could come good.

Minutes: 1,037
Rating: 5/10
Action to take: Reassess

Christopher Nkunku

A season in spells is the way to describe Nkunku’s. From the start, there were questions about him and his arrival. He never really seemed like the right fit and the first few months seemed to prove that. However, he got going around the January mercato and hit a patch of form.

At the same time, there were questions about his future and it seemed an exit could be rushed through to bring Jean-Philippe Mateta. Yet, he ended up staying and heading back into the shadows, unfortunately…

Towards the end of the season, he got back going, actually ending the year as one of the better attackers in recent years statistically. Though he could not drag the Rossoneri back into the Champions League, who’d have thought that would be a sentence in November?

Again, he can probably be put into the misused category, simply because he was never properly utilised. He didn’t arrive as a striker, but he seemed to be used as one. Even if it was clearly not for him. Instead, playing off of a striker would have worked better…

He is largely hindered by his price and whilst he cannot do anything about that, it undoubtedly plays a part in a largely underwhelming season. With a proper system worked around him – not built around him, key difference – he could be a real asset.

For now, though, it is a sub-par opening season, but improvement cannot be ruled out.

Minutes: 1,528
Rating: 5.5/10
Action to take: Keep

Christian Pulisic

Pulisic is another player who thrived at the start of the season, but gradually began to struggle as the year went on. Unfortunately, he also suffered a recurring injury, which effectively ended his season in terms of being able to contribute to the same level as before.

In the first few months, everything he touched turned to gold and goals were coming regularly. It seemed he’d taken the next step forward centrally and Milan were reaping the rewards of that. However, the stutters occurred and then it became a normality.

Not much can really be said about the second half of the season, other than it was dismal. Considering his last goal for the club came in 2025, little more really needs to be added. But it was not just that, though. His general contribution levels fell and he seemed much less impactful.

Again, it could be a case of not knowing how much his injury affected him. However, we can only go off of what we know. For a player who performed in the big moments for so long, his failure to do anything of importance in the final months was a reason why the Rossoneri will be playing in the Europa League next year.

Off the back of last season, demands for an €8m renewal just seem too difficult to really consider. For that amount, especially with the wage structure, he’d have had to continue that form through the year and Champions League football would have to be in the calendar.

There is a lot of pressure on his shoulders and perhaps there were some internal fears about over-exerting himself in a massive year. However, we’d struggle to give him much more than a pass (and even that could be generous) for his season.

Minutes: 1,806
Rating: 6/10
Action to take: Renew with the right conditions

Rafael Leão

It is pretty telling when your most-used attacker is a Leao who, by his own admission, spent four or five months struggling with an injury. The forwards were regularly chopped and changed through injury and unfortunately, Allegri had no one to rely on to lead the line.

This is the key thing, though. It should never have been Leao to start with. Hindsight is a brilliant thing in that aspect.

Ultimately, Leao’s biggest strength has never been his finishing; it’s been his directness and ability to create threat. He has shown the ability to finish chances, of course. However, the fact that hitting 20 goals has hung over him for all this time is the reason why Milan have probably sacrificed him.

When a player changes from being aesthetically pleasing to becoming effective, it changes them. Some can do both; maybe Leao can join them in that division. Yet, he just never has for the Rossoneri and it now seems that he never will.

In the first half of the season, it seemed that the Portuguese had finally taken that step forward and the move centrally seemed to benefit him. However, injuries affected him and in the second half of the season, he looked a shadow of his former self.

Not slow, but off. Not lethal and not really a major threat. Not Leao, ultimately. Then, San Siro started to react and he just became more and more drained. Physically, he had given a lot, even if it seemed that he didn’t.

Then, the mental game slipped and rediscovering it never happened. He seemed done and San Siro’s reactions to him only deepened that issue. A stadium that has always been on his side – and may still be – started to jeer and recovering from that never seemed to be on the table.

Questions about Allegri’s decisions were seen on the touchline and frustrations from all parties grew – referring to the admission of the injuries, he also admitted that Allegri’s system did not benefit him.

It now seems like his story with the club is done and it would not be a surprise. A shame, definitely.

However, it is no longer as easy to defend Leao. He has never graduated from being the Diavolo’s MVP to being one of Europe’s. In the same breath, too, he has dropped back from being their MVP.

Like we say, a shame. It happens, but it’s not pleasant and it hurts.

If that is it, and it probably is, that’s it. The final curtain call moment never arrived, unfortunately and you’re left thinking that all parties probably deserve more…

Minutes: 1,968
Rating: 5/10
Action to take: Sell

Staff

Massimiliano Allegri

When Allegri arrived, he stated that his team would focus on returning to the Champions League. Even during a potential Scudetto push, he continued to focus on a top-four spot. It is playing the game and minimising expectations.

However, when the egg splats in your face, you have to listen to the critics and Allegri must do that. Put simply, he did not achieve the base goal for the season and with the context of the 38 games, he failed massively.

Yes, there can be questions of backing. Yet, he is not excluded from the criticisms, especially when he opened himself to them by setting goals publicly and failing to achieve them. In the second half of the season, his side were relegation-worthy in terms of their form, again, a failure.

When it mattered most, they did not get over the line and that comes from the manager. His team looked demotivated and ultimately, they seemed to lack ideas.

Then, you can state confidently that several players were misused, either tactically or in terms of their minutes played. Leao has claimed he was playing with an injury for months, Fofana and the Portuguese claimed not to like their roles and they are probably not the only ones to feel that way.

Certain players were overused when others either deserved a chance or didn’t deserve to keep starting games.

For a manager who ‘you know what you’re getting with’, he failed to truly help with the reset and now the Diavolo are left paying the consequences with players like Leao…

A dismal season from one of the most experienced coaches in Europe.

Rating: 3.5/10

If you want to give your own ratings, we have left the list of players below. Let us know your thoughts!

Pietro Terracciano:

Mike Maignan:

David Odogu:

Zachary Athekame:

Pervis Estupiñán:

Koni De Winter:

Davide Bartesaghi:

Matteo Gabbia:

Fikayo Tomori:

Alexis Saelemaekers:

Strahinja Pavlović:

Ardon Jashari:

Ruben Loftus-Cheek:

Samuele Ricci:

Youssouf Fofana:

Adrien Rabiot:

Luka Modrić:

Niclas Füllkrug:

Santiago Gimenez:

Christopher Nkunku:

Christian Pulisic:

Rafael Leão: