Milan Stars Shine and Struggle at 2026 World Cup: A Tale of Agony, Ecstasy, and Anonymity

FolioPitch.com – 20 July 2026 | The 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, leaving behind a tapestry of emotions for AC Milan‘s ten representatives. In a tournament defined by the expanded 48-team format and a thrilling final where Spain edged Argentina 1-0, the Milan contingent experienced the full spectrum of outcomes. This article explores the agony, ecstasy, and anonymity of how Milan’s stars performed at the 2026 World Cup, highlighting both triumphs and disappointments.

The Disappointments

While many Milan players made their mark, some faced frustration. Koni De Winter, called up by Belgium, did not play a single minute across their run to the quarter-finals, where they lost to Spain. Santiago Gimenez, who boldly predicted he’d be the tournament’s top scorer, managed only 82 minutes for Mexico without scoring, exiting at the round of 16 against England. Ardon Jashari earned three appearances for Switzerland but struggled, notably being substituted at half-time against Colombia; Switzerland eventually fell to Argentina in extra time.

Christian Pulisic‘s home World Cup was marred by injury. After a strong start with an assist against Paraguay, a calf issue sidelined him for a group game. He returned for the knockout rounds but looked off form, and a hairline fracture in his leg now threatens his start to the 2026-27 season with Milan.

A Mixed Bag

Rafael Leão, who had expressed a desire to leave Milan, had an uneven tournament. He appeared in all five of Portugal’s games but started only once, scoring in a brief cameo against Uzbekistan and providing a sublime assist for Gonçalo Ramos’s last-minute winner against Croatia. However, he played just 19 minutes in Portugal’s quarter-final loss to Spain. Ramos himself found limited minutes, scoring in a 27-minute appearance against Croatia but remaining an unused substitute against Spain.

Pervis Estupiñán, soon to join Aston Villa, had a minor role for Ecuador, starting once and appearing as a sub once before their round-of-16 exit to Mexico. Alexis Saelemaekers scored for Belgium in a 5-1 win over New Zealand but started only once and saw minimal knockout minutes, leaving him feeling underused.

Largely Positive

Three Milan players can look back on the World Cup with pride. Luka Modrić, likely playing his last World Cup for Croatia, earned his 200th cap and provided a decisive assist to help his team reach the knockout stage, though they fell to Portugal in the round of 16. His contract extension with Milan seems imminent.

The standout performances came from Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot, who reached the semi-finals with France. Maignan played every minute of France’s eight games, saving a penalty against Norway and conceding 10 goals – heavily skewed by the 6-4 third-place play-off loss to England. Rabiot started every match, providing an assist in the opener and acting as a midfield anchor for Didier Deschamps.

In conclusion, the 2026 World Cup offered a microcosm of Milan’s season: moments of brilliance interwoven with disappointment. The agony, ecstasy, and anonymity of how Milan’s stars performed at the 2026 World Cup will inform the club’s preparations for the upcoming season. As some players return with medal hopes dashed, others bring valuable experience. The focus now shifts to the 2026-27 campaign, where Milan will look to build on these international outings.