Clubs are already gearing up for the 2025-26 season—and so is AC Milan, aiming to bounce back into contention after a disappointing campaign. But with the team heading to Asia and the Pacific for preseason, fans were surprised to learn that stars Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez have been left out of the traveling squad.
Milan struggled to find consistency following their last Scudetto under Stefano Pioli, enduring a turbulent 2024-25 season. Despite winning the Italian Super Cup, neither Paulo Fonseca nor Sergio Conceição managed to stabilize the team. Now, the reins have been handed to Massimiliano Allegri.
The Italian coach—who previously led Milan from 2010 to 2014—has returned to San Siro with a goal to rebuild a competitive squad, headlined by the signing of Luka Modric on a free transfer from Real Madrid. However, both Modric and Gimenez were excluded from the tour, a move that caught many fans off guard.
Why were Modric and Gimenez sidelined?
Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez were left out due to their recent international commitments: the FIFA Club World Cup for Modric with Real Madrid, and the CONCACAF Gold Cup for Gimenez with Mexico. As a result, both players were granted extended rest and will miss the preseason tour.
“We look forward to seeing him on August 4. He is a champion and will elevate the team’s technical level and leadership,” Allegri said of Modric. Gimenez is also expected to report on August 4. The striker is currently on break after helping Mexico lift its 10th Gold Cup title earlier this month.
USMNT star Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao are among the 26 players Allegri called up for the tour, which kicked off with training on Monday in Singapore. Milan are set to play three friendlies in nine days—starting with Arsenal on Wednesday in Singapore, then Liverpool on Saturday in Hong Kong, before wrapping up against Perth Glory on July 31 in Australia.
Once the team returns to Italy, Modric and Gimenez will rejoin the squad for two more preseason matches: against Leeds United on August 9 and Chelsea on August 10. Milan’s first official fixture is set for August 17 against Bari in the Coppa Italia, just days before their Serie A opener.