When Santiago Gimenez touched down in Italy in early 2025, the hype was massive. You couldn't escape it. "El Bebote" was the man who was supposed to finally solve the Rossoneri's striker curse, a prolific poacher coming off a legendary run at Feyenoord. But fast forward to January 2026, and the mood around Santi Gimenez AC Milan is, frankly, pretty grim.
He isn't scoring. He’s barely playing. And now, he’s having surgery.
Football moves fast. One minute you’re the €30 million savior, the next you’re being linked with a mid-table escape route to Sunderland or West Ham just to find some minutes before the World Cup. If you’ve been following the Milan camp lately, the situation with Gimenez has become one of the most polarizing topics at the San Siro. It’s a mix of bad luck, tactical friction, and a body that’s clearly screaming for a break.
The Brutal Reality of the 2025-2026 Season
Let’s look at the numbers because they don’t lie, even if they’re painful to read for Mexico fans. In nine Serie A appearances this season, Santiago Gimenez has scored exactly zero goals.
Zero.
For a guy who used to find the back of the net in the Eredivisie like it was a casual Sunday league game, this drought is staggering. He’s had about 21 shots, seven on target, and an expected goals (xG) of 2.82. Basically, he’s getting the chances, but the clinical edge that made him famous has completely evaporated.
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His only real highlight this term was a lone goal in the Coppa Italia against Lecce back in September. Since then? Crickets.
The physical toll has been the real villain here. Gimenez recently admitted on Instagram that he’d been playing through significant ankle pain for months. He tried "conservative treatment"—which is basically code for "physio and vibes"—to avoid the operating table. It didn't work. In mid-December, Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that the Mexican international had to go under the knife.
"The ankle problem has worsened," Allegri told reporters before the Supercoppa. That surgery happened on December 18, 2025. Now, the timeline for a return isn't looking great. While early reports hoped for a late January comeback, Allegri recently dropped a bombshell: we might not see him back on a pitch until the end of March.
Why the Allegri Marriage Isn't Working
Is it just the injury? Probably not.
Honestly, the tactical fit between Santi Gimenez AC Milan and Massimiliano Allegri feels like trying to put a square peg in a very defensive, very rigid hole. Allegri likes a specific type of striker. He wants someone who can hold the ball up, dominate the box, or act as a mobile pivot for runners like Rafael Leão and Christian Pulisic.
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Gimenez, at his best, is a "poacher-plus." He thrives on service and quick transitions. But in Allegri’s current system, he often looks isolated. While Pulisic has been on a tear—arguably Milan’s most important player right now—Gimenez has struggled to find his rhythm within that front three.
Then there’s the Niclas Füllkrug factor.
Milan didn't sit around waiting for Santi to heal. They went out and grabbed the German veteran from West Ham in the January window. Füllkrug is a classic "Allegri striker"—big, experienced, and physical. The fact that Milan fast-tracked this move tells you everything you need to know about their confidence in Gimenez’s immediate future.
The Transfer Rumors: Is a January Exit Possible?
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Gimenez is in a panic. He has to be.
If he stays at Milan, he's looking at a March return, followed by a fight for minutes against a healthy Füllkrug and Christopher Nkunku. That is not a recipe for being match-fit for Mexico’s biggest tournament in decades.
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Rumors are swirling.
- Sunderland is reportedly ready to drop a "monster" €30 million offer.
- West Ham has been mentioned in potential swap deal scenarios.
- Eintracht Frankfurt and Galatasaray are lurking in the background.
The problem? Milan spent a lot of money on him. His contract runs until 2029. While the club is reportedly "open to offers," they aren't going to just give him away for pennies. His market value has already dipped toward the €25 million mark according to recent data. If a Premier League club doesn't overpay, he might be stuck in a San Siro limbo until the summer.
What This Means for Mexico and the World Cup
This is the part that keeps El Tri fans awake at night.
If "El Bebote" isn't playing, does he even make the roster? Javier Aguirre is a pragmatic coach. He’s already watching guys like Germán Berterame and Armando González find form in Liga MX. Raul Jimenez is still a factor.
The narrative around Santi Gimenez AC Milan was supposed to be about a superstar reaching his prime in a top-five league. Instead, it’s a race against time. If he doesn't get back by April and show something—anything—he risks being the big-name omission from the 2026 squad.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a Milanista or a follower of the Mexican National Team, here is the reality of the situation:
- Don't expect a miracle return: The end-of-March timeline from Allegri is likely the most realistic. Ankle surgery is no joke for a player who relies on sharp turns and explosive movement.
- Watch the "Füllkrug Effect": If the German starts scoring immediately, the door for Gimenez at Milan might be closed for good. Watch the upcoming matches against Como and Inter to see how the team dynamic shifts without him.
- Monitor the Sunderland/West Ham links: If a deal doesn't happen by the January deadline (which is approaching fast), Santi will have to stay and fight. A loan move would be the best-case scenario for his World Cup hopes, but his high wages and transfer fee make that complicated.
- Adjust expectations for the World Cup: It's time to start looking at "Plan B" for the Mexican attack. Santi will likely not be at 100% fitness until May at the earliest.
The story of Santi Gimenez in Italy is currently a tragedy of timing. He joined a massive club at the wrong moment, under a manager whose style clashes with his own, just as his body decided to break down. Whether he can script a comeback in the final two months of the season is the only question that matters now.