PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alexis Saelemaekers |
| Date of Birth | 27/06/1999 (Age: 27) |
| Place of Birth | Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 72 kg |
| Position | Right Midfielder / Winger |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #56 (AC Milan) |
| Current Club | AC Milan |
| Previous Clubs | Anderlecht, Bologna (loan), Roma (loan) |
| International Caps | — |
| International Goals | — |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2031 |
| Market Value | €21M–€26M |
The Frozen Moment
BC Place, Vancouver. June 2026. Belgium, the Red Devils, were cruising toward a 5-1 demolition of New Zealand to seal their place in the World Cup Round of 32. Four minutes into stoppage time, the rout was complete.
Romelu Lukaku turned provider, slipping a pass through to Alexis Saelemaekers. The 27-year-old winger—who had spent the previous season on loan at Roma and had only recently returned to Milan—coolly finished to cap a dominant Belgian performance. It was his first goal of the tournament, coming in his fourth appearance off the bench.
For Saelemaekers, the moment was a punctuation mark on a turbulent year. He had arrived at the World Cup after a loan spell at Roma that saw him score 7 Serie A goals and prove his quality, only to return to Milan uncertain of his future. Now, on the biggest stage, he had announced his continued relevance to the Belgian national team. “Belgium stormed into the Round of 32… with Alexis Saelemaekers also finding the net,” the reports read. The winger had found his moment.
Origins
Born on June 27, 1999, in Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Belgium, Alexis Saelemaekers’ footballing journey began in his homeland. He emerged through the youth ranks at Anderlecht, one of Belgium’s most storied clubs, making his senior debut for the club during the 2017/18 season. He played 11 league games in his first season, followed by 30 appearances in 2018/19. His performances in the Jupiler League caught the attention of European scouts, and in January 2020, he secured a loan move to AC Milan, which was made permanent that September.
The European Forge
Anderlecht (2017-2020):
Saelemaekers progressed through the youth ranks at Anderlecht, making his senior debut in 2017. He accumulated 57 league appearances for the Belgian club over three seasons, establishing himself as a promising young winger.
AC Milan (2020-Present):
Saelemaekers initially joined AC Milan on loan in January 2020, with the move made permanent in September 2020. Since then, he has been a consistent presence for the Rossoneri, making 199 Serie A appearances across multiple seasons. He was part of the Milan squad that won the Scudetto in the 2021/22 season. Overall, he has made 159 appearances for the club and scored 12 goals.
Loan Spells (2023-2025):
Saelemaekers spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Bologna, making 30 league appearances and scoring 4 goals. The 2024/25 season saw him loaned to AS Roma, where he enjoyed a productive campaign with 22 appearances and 7 goals in Serie A.
Belgium National Team:
Saelemaekers has represented Belgium at the senior level for several years, including appearances at both the 2022 and 2026 World Cups. He was named in Belgium’s squad for the 2026 tournament and scored in the 5-1 group-stage victory over New Zealand.
The Anatomy of His Game
Alexis Saelemaekers is a versatile and dynamic right-footed winger capable of operating on either flank or as a right midfielder. Standing at 180 cm, he combines technical proficiency with work rate and tactical discipline.
In Possession:
Saelemaekers is a creative force in the final third. In the 2025/26 Serie A season, he scored 3 goals and provided 3 assists in 35 appearances. His pass completion rate stood at 83.9%, with a Non-Penalty xG of 4.87. He is described as a player who bases his game on speed, rapid directional changes, and dribbling ability, capable of both carrying the ball and making runs into space.
Out of Possession:
Saelemaekers is known for his work rate and defensive contributions. He “helps his teammates by doubling up and pressing opponents, maintaining a consistently high intensity.” He accumulated 5 yellow cards in the 2025/26 Serie A season and 37 yellow cards over his career. His selflessness and professionalism have been widely praised by coaches and teammates.
Psychological Edge:
Saelemaekers has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his career. He has consistently returned from loan spells to Milan, most recently in the summer of 2025, and signed a contract extension until 2031. At Roma, he quickly became a fan favourite after overcoming an initial adaptation period and physical problems. His willingness to fight for his place at Milan, despite interest from Roma to keep him permanently, speaks to his determination.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Pass Completion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 35 (33) | 2,798 | 3 | 3 | 83.9% |
| Coppa Italia | 1 (1) | 64 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Supercoppa Italiana | 1 (1) | 69 | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup | 4 (0) | 81 | 1 | 0 | 76.2% |
| TOTAL | 41 | 3,012 | 4 | 3 | — |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017/18 | Anderlecht | Jupiler League | 11 | 0 |
| 2018/19 | Anderlecht | Jupiler League | 30 | 0 |
| 2019/20 | Anderlecht | Jupiler League | 16 | 2 |
| 2019/20 | AC Milan | Serie A | 13 | 1 |
| 2020/21 | AC Milan | Serie A | 32 | 2 |
| 2021/22 | AC Milan | Serie A | 36 | 1 |
| 2022/23 | AC Milan | Serie A | 30 | 2 |
| 2023/24 | Bologna (loan) | Serie A | 30 | 4 |
| 2024/25 | Roma (loan) | Serie A | 22 | 7 |
| 2025/26 | AC Milan | Serie A | 35 | 3 |
| TOTAL | — | — | +339 | +29 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 4 (0/4) | 1 | Round of 32 |
| FIFA World Cup 2022 | 1 | 0 | Group Stage |
| World Cup Qualifying 2026 | 7 | 1 | — |
| UEFA Nations League 2024/25 | 2 | 0 | — |
| Belgium Senior Career | — | — | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Senior Debut | Anderlecht |
| 2020 | AC Milan Loan | Joined Rossoneri |
| 2020 | AC Milan Transfer | Made permanent |
| 2022 | Scudetto Winner | AC Milan |
| 2023 | Bologna Loan | Serie A campaign |
| 2024 | Roma Loan | 7 league goals |
| 2025 | Contract Extension | Until 2031 |
| 2026 | World Cup Goal | vs New Zealand |
What these figures reveal is a player of remarkable consistency. Saelemaekers has accumulated over 339 professional appearances and 29 career goals. His 7 goals during the 2024/25 loan spell at Roma demonstrated his attacking quality. He remains a key squad player for AC Milan under a long-term contract.
The Present Tense
Alexis Saelemaekers is 27 years old and at a pivotal moment in his career. He has returned to AC Milan after a productive loan spell at Roma and signed a contract extension until 2031.
The Milan Story:
Saelemaekers returned from his loan at Roma in the summer of 2025. He has been a consistent performer for the Rossoneri in the 2025/26 season, making 35 Serie A appearances and scoring 3 goals. In December 2025, AC Milan announced that Saelemaekers had renewed his contract with the club until June 30, 2031. The club praised his “professionalism, selflessness, and strong sense of belonging” and noted that after 159 appearances and 12 goals, he would “continue their journey together, driven by the ambition to reach new milestones.”
The World Cup Campaign:
Saelemaekers was named in Belgium’s 2026 World Cup squad. He made four substitute appearances, playing 81 minutes total. His most significant contribution was a goal in the 5-1 group-stage victory over New Zealand, which secured Belgium’s qualification for the Round of 32.
International Record:
Saelemaekers has represented Belgium at two World Cups (2022 and 2026) and has featured in World Cup qualifying and UEFA Nations League matches.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Alexis Saelemaekers is defined by his professionalism and work ethic. AC Milan’s official statement upon his contract extension highlighted his “strong sense of belonging” and his embodiment of the club’s values.
His loan spells at Bologna and Roma were marked by strong performances and a growing reputation as a reliable and versatile winger. At Roma, he became a fan favourite after an initial period of adaptation, with reports suggesting he found “an ideal environment” and a group he considered “like a family.” He was reportedly “enthusiastic” about staying in the Italian capital, though Milan ultimately chose to bring him back.
Saelemaekers is known for his ability to play on both wings and his tactical discipline. His market value is estimated at €21M–€26M.
The Verdict from the Camp
AC Milan Official Statement:
“AC Milan are delighted to announce that Alexis Saelemaekers has renewed his contract with the Club until 30 June 2031… Since joining the Rossoneri in January 2020, Alexis has grown each season, standing out for his professionalism, selflessness, and strong sense of belonging, embodying the Club’s values on and off the pitch. After 159 appearances and 12 goals in the Rossonero shirt, and playing his part in the 2021/22 Scudetto triumph, AC Milan and Alexis Saelemaekers will continue their journey together, driven by the ambition to reach new milestones and write further chapters in Rossonero history.”
Statistic:
Saelemaekers made 35 Serie A appearances in the 2025/26 season, scoring 3 goals and providing 3 assists.
Statistic:
Saelemaekers scored his first World Cup goal in Belgium’s 5-1 victory over New Zealand in the 2026 tournament.
Statistic:
Saelemaekers has won the Scudetto with AC Milan (2021/22) and signed a contract extension until 2031.
Where Next?
Alexis Saelemaekers is 27 years old and entering a new chapter of his career at AC Milan. His contract extension until 2031 signals the club’s belief in his continued contribution. He is expected to be a key squad player for the Rossoneri in the coming seasons.
For Belgium, he remains a valuable squad option. His ability to play on both wings and his work rate make him a useful asset for the national team. With two World Cups already under his belt, he has proven his reliability at the international level.
From Anderlecht to Milan, from Bologna to Roma and back, Alexis Saelemaekers’ journey is one of resilience, professionalism, and quiet consistency. The winger who has fought for his place at every stop has become a trusted member of the Belgian national team and a committed Rossonero—and his story is far from complete.
