From Liège to London: The 12 Milan players called up for international duty

The final international break of 2025 is upon us, and once again Milanello will be left half-empty as several players jet off to represent their country.

Those who have been called upon by their nations would have hoped to leave with a more positive feeling. However, Milan let more valuable points slip away as they surrendered a two-goal lead against Parma in a 2-2 draw on Saturday night.

The Rossoneri are still third in the table and only two points off top, but taking two points out of nine from the Cremonese, Pisa and Parma games has seen an inquest open in to the team’s mentality. Now there is a break, before preparations resume for the derby on November 23.

During the October international break there were 15 Milan players that received a call-up. The difference this time is that Adrien Rabiot, Christian Pulisic, Santiago Gimenez and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were left out for various reasons, with Samuele Ricci earning an Italy recall.

Below are the 12 players that have been summoned by their countries for both senior and youth internationals, and how their schedule looks over the break.

Mike Maignan and Christopher Nkunku (France)

➤ France v Ukraine, Thursday 13 November at 20:45 CET, Paris – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Azerbaijan v France, Sunday 16 November at 18:00 CET, Baku – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Alexis Saelemaekers and Koni De Winter (Belgium)

➤ Kazakhstan v Belgium, Saturday 15 November at 15:00 CET, Nur-Sultan – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Belgium v Liechtenstein, Tuesday 18 November at 20:45 CET, Liège – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Matteo Gabbia and Samuele Ricci (Italy)

➤ Moldova v Italy, Thursday 13 November at 20:45 CET, Chișinău – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Italy v Norway, Sunday 16 November at 20.45 CET, Milan – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Photos: Marco Luzzani + Paolo Bruno/Getty Images

Strahinja Pavlović (Serbia)

➤ England v Serbia, Thursday 13 November at 20:45 CET, London – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Serbia v Latvia, Sunday 16 November at 18:00 CET, Leskovac – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Luka Modrić (Croatia)

➤ Croatia v Faroe Islands, Friday 14 November at 20:45 CET, Rijeka – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Montenegro v Croatia, Monday 17 November at 20:45 CET, Podgorica – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Rafael Leão (Portugal)

➤ Ireland v Portugal, Thursday 13 November at 20:45 CET, Dublin – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
➤ Portugal v Armenia, Sunday 16 November at 15:00 CET, Porto – 2026 World Cup Qualifiers

Zachary Athekame (Switzerland Under 21)

➤ Switzerland v France, Friday 14 November at 19:30 CET, Lausanne – 2027 U21 European Championship Qualifiers
➤ Luxembourg v Switzerland, Tuesday 18 November at 19:30, Luxembourg – 2027 U21 European Championship Qualifiers

Davide Bartesaghi (Italy Under 21)

➤ Poland v Italy, Friday 14 November at 16:00 CET, Szczecin – 2027 U21 European Championship Qualifiers
➤ Montenegro v Italy, Tuesday 18 November at 18:15 CET, Nikšić – 2027 U21 European Championship Qualifiers

David Odogu (Germany Under 20)

➤ Germany v Romania, Friday 14 November at 15:00 CET, Valencia (Spain) – Elite League Under 20
➤ Germany v Italy, Monday 17 November at 15:00 CET, Valencia (Spain) – Elite League Under 20