Santiago Gimenez Shares Injury Update And Reveals Why He Loves AC Milan And Italy So Much
AC Milan have been treating Santiago Gimenez well.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 22 January 2026
AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez has given an update on the ankle injury that has sidelined him for months.
The Mexico international has been out of action since the 1-1 draw with Atalanta in late October.
Conservative treatment wasn’t enough, and Gimenez underwent surgery in December to try to rectify the problem.
Now, Gimenez has spoken to ESPN Mexico to provide an update that will go down well with Milan supporters.
Santiago Gimenez and the ankle update that will lift Milan fans
Santiago Gimenez delivered a simple message on his recovery: “My ankle is fixed, get ready.”
AC Milan previously confirmed he underwent arthroscopic debridement of his right ankle in Amsterdam, with the operation described as fully successful.
Sky Sport report the expected return window is around April, although Gimenez’s tone suggested he could be back earlier.
The 24-year-old also explained he feels protected by Milan, saying the club defended him when he was criticised and still trusts his ability.
Disciplina, constancia y paciencia… pic.twitter.com/lxXAx6v7CO
— Santiago Gimenez (@Santgimenez_) November 26, 2025
“AC Milan? They must see something in me,” said Gimenez.
“Even though I haven’t performed as well as I would have liked and haven’t yet shown who I am and what I can do, they have faith in my abilities.
“They have defended me on many occasions when I’ve been criticized, and I really appreciate that.”
Santiago Gimenez and why Milan and Italy feel like home
Gimenez said playing for Milan has been a childhood dream, naming players he watched growing up, like Dida, Kaka, Hernan Crespo, Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo.
He described getting goosebumps thinking about wearing the shirt, calling it a huge honour and a moment where “dreams come true”.
Away from football, he said he loves Italy’s people and their warmth once they accept you, comparing it to being welcomed like a brother.
He also praised the country’s food and style, saying the cuisine feels like an art form and the city life mixes luxury and simplicity in a way that feels natural.
“I love everything about Italy, starting with the people,” he said.
“They may seem grumpy, but when they welcome you, it’s like you’re their brother. I love it. There are people who don’t know you and they embrace you.
“I see it within the team, and that’s what I really like about Italians. I love the food. There’s no chili, but there’s pizza and pasta, there’s everything.
“Cooking is an art and the city is elegant; the most exclusive cafes coexist with the simplest places and everything seems normal.”
Speculation regarding Gimenez’s potential departure has been going on for a number of weeks now.
However, Milan are unlikely to let him go any time soon. He is grateful, motivated, and believes the best version of him in red and black is still to come.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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