6 days ago
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Santiago Gimenez went down against Atalanta with ankle pain, and it seemed he would maybe miss a few weeks. We are now months on from that game, and AC Milan hope to have him back soon.
The whole debacle about Gimenez’s injury was a confusing one. After all, he went down, and it seemed minor, then he revealed a long-term issue on his Instagram, and he has been absent since. All in all, a really confusing one.
Considering Massimiliano Allegri has been so conservative about injuries this season, Gimenez continuing to play through an ankle issue certainly seems a little weird. However, whether the coach was aware of the level of the injury is something else entirely.
Gimenez’s interview
The Mexican should, hopefully, be back shortly after having ankle surgery a few weeks ago, and ahead of his return, he has spoken to ESPN via MilanNews about the short-term future and the support from one Rossoneri teammate.
Santi, how’s your ankle injury progressing?
“It was difficult because there were a few weeks when I was playing in pain. The injury started to get worse and worse. I had to stop, but now I just want to look to the present and the future, not dwell on the past.
“I’m motivated because I feel like I’m making a good recovery, and I hope to be able to play again in a few weeks.”
Is it true that the injury started to become a problem during last summer’s Gold Cup?
“Yes, it’s been going on for a long time. At first, it was just a little pain, and as footballers, if we have a little pain, we keep playing. It’s normal for us. But I think it was a mistake. I know every footballer would do the same because we love playing, we love to keep playing, but I was already in pain before the Gold Cup. And then it got worse and worse, so it was time to stop.”
Did the point come where you had to make a decision about surgery to be ready for the World Cup?
“Yes, absolutely. Last May, I couldn’t believe I’d have this opportunity with Milan, with the World Cup, with my national team, with my fans. But then the pain started to set in, and it was time to decide: should I have surgery or not?
“It’s an important season with Milan, and then there’s the World Cup, so it was a difficult decision. But in the end, now that a month has passed since the operation, I can say it was the best decision. I’m really happy I had the surgery, and I can’t wait to come back stronger.”
You play alongside Christian Pulisic at AC Milan and you’ve become great friends. Did he help you through your injury, or is the US-Mexico rivalry too intense?
“This is always a discussion in the locker room with everyone. They make jokes or ask us: ‘Who is better, USA or Mexico?’ I start saying Mexico, Pulisic starts saying USA and it’s a fight in the locker room, but always with affection!
“If we play a match with our national teams, we’re enemies, we’re rivals. But in the locker room, he’s one of my best friends. We’re always together and I hope that, if he doesn’t play against Mexico, he does well. But if he plays against Mexico, obviously if I have to stop him, I will! But he’s truly been a great friend during this difficult time. We have a lot in common.
“We like the NFL: he’s a Jets fan, I’m a Dolphins fan. Sometimes I go to his house, we have a barbecue and watch the NFL. So he’s a great teammate, a good friend, but in the end, if he wears a USA jersey, he’s a rival.”
How do you rate Mexico and the United States’ chances at the World Cup?
“Playing a World Cup in your country is incredible, and we have this opportunity. Our families will be there: these are our people, our stadium, our country, so we have to be strong, and we will be. I think the United States has a very strong national team.
“I think they can maybe reach the quarterfinals. They are strong. I would love to play against the USA at the World Cup because of the rivalry that football brings, and the fans love it. For us, it was fantastic to win the Gold Cup last year, because our rivalry started a long time ago and still continues.
“I know the fans really love beating the USA, so we were very happy to win the Gold Cup against them.”
With his ankle recovering and a World Cup on the horizon, what does the perfect 2026 look like for Santi Giménez?
“I just want to feel good with my ankle. I think that’s the main goal. I want to be 100%. And if I feel good with my ankle, I think everything else will follow automatically. After that, I’ll continue towards the World Cup. I’ll be ready for the World Cup.”
English (US) ·