Massimiliano Allegri is back at the helm, and honestly, the vibe at Milanello is just different these days. If you’ve been following the Rossoneri through the chaotic transitions of the last few years, you know that the AC Milan FC roster has undergone a massive facelift. It’s not just about the big names anymore. It’s about balance. As of January 2026, Milan sits second in Serie A, trailing Inter by six points but riding a massive 18-match unbeaten streak.
People kept saying this team was too young. Then they said it was too old.
Now? It's just right.
The Current State of the AC Milan FC Roster
The squad depth right now is probably the best we've seen since the Scudetto-winning season of 2022. You’ve got a mix of legendary experience—yes, 40-year-old Luka Modrić is actually pulling strings in midfield—and explosive prime talent like Rafael Leão.
Let's look at the goalkeeping situation. Mike Maignan remains the undisputed number one. He’s 30 now, in his absolute peak, and arguably the best ball-playing keeper in Italy. Behind him, Pietro Terracciano provides that veteran safety net, while the 20-year-old Lorenzo Torriani is clearly being groomed as the future.
Defensive Steel and New Faces
The backline has been a bit of a puzzle for Allegri. Fikayo Tomori is the leader there, and having him back from suspension for the upcoming clash against Como is massive. Matteo Gabbia has transformed from a "reliable backup" into a genuine starter, though a knee injury has kept him sidelined recently.
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What's really interesting is the wing-back situation. Pervis Estupiñán has been a revelation on the left, offering a different kind of overlapping threat than what we used to see. Then you have Strahinja Pavlović, who brings that "old school" aggression that Milan fans love. He’s currently dealing with a head injury, but his impact when fit is undeniable.
A Midfield of Experience and Engines
This is where the AC Milan FC roster really starts to look scary. Allegri has shifted things. Youssouf Fofana is the engine. He does the dirty work so that players like Samuele Ricci and Adrien Rabiot can progress the ball.
And then there's Modrić.
Most critics thought signing a 40-year-old was a PR stunt. It wasn't. Luka is still starting big games, including the upcoming fixture at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia. His ability to control the tempo is something Ricci is clearly learning from every single day in training.
The Attack: Pulisic, Leão, and the New No. 9s
The frontline is where the real headaches (the good kind) happen for the coaching staff. Christian Pulisic is still the focal point for many, though he’s faced some recent heat from Italian media—including a bit of a public back-and-forth with Fabio Capello.
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Rafael Leão is the highest-valued player on the team, worth roughly €70 million. When he's on, he’s unplayable. But Allegri has been rotating him more frequently with Christopher Nkunku, who joined to provide that tactical flexibility.
The striker position is a revolving door of talent right now:
- Santiago Gimenez: The Mexican international is the future, but an ankle injury has him out until late January.
- Niclas Füllkrug: The veteran German is a pure "Plan B" target man, though he’s also fighting a muscle niggle.
- Christopher Nkunku: Often used as a "false nine" or a second striker depending on the setup.
January 2026 Transfer Movements
It’s the winter window, so naturally, the rumor mill is spinning. The big news recently was Maximilian Ibrahimović—Zlatan’s son—moving to Ajax on loan. It’s a smart move. He’s 19, needs minutes, and Milan got a €3.5 million loan fee for a player who hasn't even debuted for the senior side yet.
There are also strong links to Liverpool's Joe Gomez. Milan tried to get him last summer, but it fell through. Now, with the defense looking a bit thin due to injuries, they’re knocking on the door again. Other names floating around include Axel Disasi and Milan Skriniar, though those feel more like "emergency" options.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Squad
People think Milan is just "Pulisic and Leão." Honestly, that's lazy analysis. The reason they haven't lost in 18 games isn't just individual brilliance. It's the defensive structure Allegri has implemented. They aren't always pretty to watch—Genoa and Fiorentina both held them to 1-1 draws recently—but they are incredibly hard to beat.
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The bench is also much deeper than it used to be. You have Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alexis Saelemaekers coming off the bench to change the energy of a match. That’s a luxury Milan didn't have two years ago.
Managing the Injury Crisis
It’s not all sunshine, though. The medical room at Milanello is crowded.
- Santiago Gimenez: Ankle injury (Return: Late January).
- Niclas Füllkrug: Muscle injury (Day-to-day).
- Christopher Nkunku: Thigh strain (Return: Late January).
- Strahinja Pavlović: Head injury (Monitoring).
This forces Allegri to get creative. We're seeing more of Davide Bartesaghi and young Ardon Jashari than maybe originally planned, but that's how stars are born in Serie A.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you’re tracking the AC Milan FC roster for betting, fantasy football, or just pure fandom, keep an eye on the "Modrić Factor." The team plays at a significantly slower, more controlled pace when he starts. When Saelemaekers is on the wing, expect a high-press, transition-heavy game.
Watch the January window closely. If Milan doesn't land a center-back like Joe Gomez, their unbeaten streak might be in jeopardy as the Champions League knockout stages approach. The depth is good, but one more injury to Tomori or Gabbia could be catastrophic.
The next step for this squad is finding a way to turn those 1-1 draws into 1-0 wins. That "Allegri-ball" style is famous for narrow victories, and if they can rediscover that clinical edge while Gimenez and Nkunku are sidelined, the Scudetto race with Inter is going to go down to the final weekend.