France Eliminated by Spain: Maignan and Rabiot Out of the World Cup
France were knocked out of the 2026 World Cup semi-finals by Spain, losing 2-0 in a result that stunned many. The French were widely considered among the tournament favourites, if not the outright favourite, given the undeniable quality of their squad. For AC Milan, the news has a direct impact on pre-season preparations: Mike Maignan and Adrien Rabiot, the two Rossoneri pillars in the French national team, will not be returning to Milanello straight away.
Third-Place Final First, Then Holidays
The two French Rossoneri still have one more match to play: the third-place final, scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at 11:00 PM, against either Argentina or England. Only after this fixture will the standard three-week holiday entitlement kick in for players who reached the latter stages of an international tournament.
The return of Maignan and Rabiot to Milanello is therefore expected on August 12, less than two weeks before the start of the Serie A 2026/27 season. That is an extremely tight window for them to integrate into the tactical work of Rúben Amorím, who will have already been working intensively with the rest of the squad by then.
The Price of Talent: When Stars Return Late
This is the challenge every top club faces when its squad includes players of international calibre: the national team comes first, and the club must wait. Mike Maignan, France’s starting goalkeeper and widely regarded as one of the best in the world in his position, and Adrien Rabiot, a midfielder of quality and experience, are two key assets for Amorím’s new Milan project. Their extended absence from the pre-season camp is a factor to be managed carefully, though hardly a novelty at the highest levels of modern football.
Spain, by eliminating Les Bleus, have booked their place in the World Cup final, where they will face the winner of Argentina vs England. For Rossoneri fans, the hope is that both players return in perfect physical and mental shape, ready to be protagonists in the new chapter at Milan.
Milan Gears Up: The Season Is Approaching
With the official pre-season camp already under way at Milanello under Amorím’s guidance, the Rossoneri are laying the foundations for the new season. The delayed arrival of Maignan and Rabiot will certainly be one of the challenges to manage in August, but confidence in the quality of the squad and the technical leadership of the new head coach remains high. Milan are ready to push forward with ambition.
